Grace Parrishs son and her husband were both smitten with the same Woman. Grace stepped into the study after her shower, still stuck in this realization, bathed


    in light.


    Antonio Kaufman, her husband, was buried in paperwork.


    He nced up, a frown on his face.


    Whats up? Grace paused, standing still a few paces away, and gently asked,


    Tomorrow is Omars birthday.


    Will you be here for him? Ive invited Ms.


    Jermyn, and she wille, Grace said without waiting for an answer.


    That was the only time Antonios head snapped up, at the mention of Kendra


    Jermyn.


    Grace caught his reaction, and it struck her heart, leaving a dull ache.


    She forced a smile, trying to sound casual.


    I''ve got three surgeries lined up tomorrow, so I wont make it back.


    You guys have a great time ....


    Omar, their son, adored Kendra, even calling her mommy.


    What do you mean? Antonio asked with a frown.


    Grace simply wanted to make her son and her husband happy.


    Shed alreadynded a prestigious overseas exchange at the hospital, ready to


    hand over her role as wife and mother to Kendra.


    Antonio would finally have his dream wife, and Omar would have the mother hed always wanted


    She didnt have a chance to exin when a little voice called out from behind. Mommy, are you noting back tomorrow? What about my birthday gift?


    Grace turned around and saw Omar there.


    The five year old Omar couldnt hide his excitement.


    It was written all over his face.


    Grace smiled, her heart no longer heavy with sorrow over the situation.


    .


    .


    Grace gently ruffled Omars hair, her voice steady.


    Ill give you some money so you can get whatever you want.


    11 For Omars birthdayst year, Grace bought him a Lego set he was crazy about


    He painstakingly put it together, only to give it to Kendra, trying to make her happy


    This year, Grace opted for a different approach.


    She would just give him.


    money.


    With that, she decided to leave, not lingering on Omars disappointed expression.


    Instead, she looked at Antonio and forced a smile.


    Goodnight.


    She turned and retreated to her room.


    Graces heart had been tied to Antonio for years.


    Six years ago, it had only been a fling, but that little romance bloomed into


    something else that led them to have Omar.


    Antonio married her because of Omar, but his heart? It had always been with


    Kendra, the one who held a special ce in his heart.


    Omar seemed to feel this too, like he knew that Grace wasn''t supposed to be his mother.


    But Kendra was.


    Grace took a deep breath. She was nning to leave this city soon anyway.


    Antonio and Omar would be with Kendra, living the life they were meant to.


    Omar''s birthday came, and Grace was fresh out of surgery when her phone rang with a call from Omar.


    "Mommy, when are youing home?" he asked, his innocent little voice making her heart feel heavy. "I want to cut the cake with you."


    It had been ages since Omar had been this sweet to her.


    Back then, when Antonio gave her the cold shoulder, Omar was there, wrapping her up in warmth andfort.


    "I don''t like Daddy anymore! Mommy, don''t be sad. When I grow up, I''ll take care of you!"


    Grace''s heart softened at the thought of this. She decided to head home after making sure everything was alright at the hospital.


    Back home, one of the maids saw her and was taken aback. "Mrs. Kaufman, I thought you weren''ting back...."


    The maid''s shocked face made Grace''s heart sink.


    Before she could say anything,ughter filled the air,ing from the living room.


    "Since you''ve been such a good boy, I made this cake for you, Omar. Your dad wanted me to.."


    ove you so much, mommy Kendra!"


    From the doorway, Grace saw Omar hugging Kendra, acting all cute and cuddly.


    Antonio was there too, watching them with a loving gaze.


    They looked like a perfect family.


    Grace stood there, feeling out of ce, like she''d walked into the wrong house.


    Kendra was the first one who saw her. Her grin faded fast as she


    awkwardly pushed Omar away.


    veli


    "Hey, Grace. I''m sorry you had to see that. I hope you know it''s just harmless banter. It''s Omar''so birthday!"


    That''s when Omar and Antonio noticed that Grace was there.


    Antonio''s face soured when he saw her. "I thought you had surgery and weren''ting home?”


    "I''m sorry," Omar whispered with guilt. "Mommy Kendra told me to call her so she could be here when I cut the cake"


    It dawned on Grace that Omar had called her back at Kendra''s request.


    She gazed at the half-eaten cake on


    the table, topped with strawberries, and asked Antonio, "Did you ask Ms.


    to make this strawberry


    cake?"


    Antonio was the one who answered her. "Omar really enjoys the cakes Kendra bakes"


    Grace stood frozen, her eyes brimming with tears that she struggled to contain.


    But she yed it cool. "I''m just here to have some rest. No big deal. Just go ahead."


    She then started to make her way upstairs.


    Kendra, with a hint of uncertainty,


    two pieces of cake left. Wouldeet


    Out to her, "Grace, there


    like to join us?"


    Grace froze, cringing at thedy-of-the-house tone.


    She responded with a simple shake of her head. "I''m allergic to strawberries."


    Antonio, who was sitting on the couch, paled upon hearing this.


    It hit him that he''d forgotten about Grace''s allergy to strawberries.


    Tired after a long day, Grace went to her room to change into morefy clothes. That was when Russell Kaufman called her.