Tanpopo is going to be so angry with me. Daphne climbed the stairs to her apartment. She glanced at her watch. It was a quarter to eight. Daphne had passed off as much work as she could to her friendly colleagues, but it still hadn’t been enough to make up for the time she’d lost early in the morning.

  I’m going to have to start more seriously looking for a different job. Especially with how uncomfortable it’s going to be with Landon going forward.

  All day at the office, she had heard murmurs and whispers behind her back about her and Landon. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to disprove that they weren’t together. She knew bringing it up again would only serve to make her look even more guilty.

  She was thankful that she had gotten to have lunch with Holly. Holly had barely brought up the incident. She had only asked Daphne if she was okay, and if she and Landon were truly dating or not. When Daphne had confirmed they weren’t, Holly had just accepted it and moved onto talking about how excited she’d been when she saw Daphne wearing her makeup as she’d promised. Holly had complimented her on how well she had done. They’d then started planning their next shopping trip. Daphne smiled when she recalled it. It was something she was very much looking forward to already.

  Holly had been a welcome relief from all the stares and whispers. Daphne had spent the majority of her day trying to ignore it all…and wondering about Asher’s thoughts on the whole matter.

  She sighed upon reaching the top of the stairs. At least Tanpopo will be excited to see me after this rigorous day. That’s at least something to look forward to.

  She started down the long hallway to her apartment door, staring at the floor. The last thing she wanted, after a day of dealing with other people, was to have any other interactions with anyone else.

  “Daphne,” she heard a voice say, that sent a shiver down her spine.

  How did she find me? Daphne slowly brought her head up to confirm it was who she thought it was.

  “Daphne, I’m so happy to see you,” the woman’s voice said again. Daphne’s eyes met the icy blue ones of Kimberly Woods, her mother.

  I am sorry, Tanpopo. Daphne spun on her heel. I hope you’ll forgive me for making you wait a little longer.

  “Wait!” her mother cried out as Daphne began walking away from her apartment.

  Did Maggie betray me? Heat started to course through her. I specifically asked her not to talk to mother about me, and she went and told her where I live?

  Daphne’s heart was pounding as she started down the stairs she had just finished climbing. She heard her mother’s footsteps plodding down the hall. “Daphne!” her mother cried out again. “Please, I just want to talk to you!”

  If only that was all you wanted.

  “Daphne!” her mother called from the top of the stairs. “Please just listen! I’ve been hearing so much about you from Magnolia lately, and I just had to see how well you were doing for myself.”

  Hearing Maggie’s full name struck Daphne like a bolt of lightning. I forgot that she calls Maggie by her full name. In her mind’s eye, she could see Maggie’s face wincing at her full name.

  Right. I should have more faith in my sister. She probably didn’t even known that our mother was planning on coming here with how volatile and impulsive Mother is. Mother probably looked up my address herself.

  Daphne continued her descent down the stairs, now hearing her mother scurrying down after her.

  “Magnolia said you seemed to be doing really well,” Kimberly continued, much to the chagrin of Daphne, and a couple of passerby’s. “She said you seemed really happy. I figured I should see it for myself if my baby girl is truly happy.”

  Baby girl? Daphne choked on her mother’s words. Viola is her baby girl. Happiness? She has no desire to see me happy, either. She’s here to rob me of my happiness!

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Daphne’s fists clenched, and she felt her forehead starting to perspire a little.

  “Across all of this time that you have refused to respond to me in, I have thought of you often,” her mother continued. Daphne was nearing the end of the stairs.

  Will she continue to follow me outside? Is there a chance I could lose her outside? Or will she wait at my apartment door until I talk to her or call the police?

  “I nearly cried when Magnolia told me that you were doing so well!” her mother exclaimed from above. “Please believe me,” she added with a whimper.

  Daphne paused and closed her eyes, her heart aching for the mother she wished she had. If only I could believe her. She shook her head at herself, opening her eyes and continuing her descent. I need to make sure to remind Maggie not to talk to Mother about me.

  “I was overwhelmed with joy when Magnolia told me she had heard from you,” her mother continued, her voice drawing closer. “It’s been months, Daphne, months! Since anyone in the family heard from you. You could have been dead for all we knew. Goodness sakes.”

  Daphne had reached the door. She turned her head and saw that her mother had nearly caught up to her. She may be old, but she’s still quick on her feet.

  “I thought that since you were talking to Magnolia again, that you might be willing to put an end to this familial strife.”

  Daphne’s eyes met her mother’s cold ones. She’s lying. She’s only here to steal my happiness away from me just like she always has.

  Clearly exasperated from chasing Daphne down the stairs, her mother sighed heavily, and her shoulders started shaking.

  Daphne felt her eyes widen, and her jaw nearly dropped. Is she crying?

  “Daphne,” her mother murmured softly, the chills still flowing down Daphne’s spine from her name in her mother’s mouth. “I’m…so sorry,” she said, a sob clearly in the back of her throat.

  Daphne’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her head slightly to see her mother practically collapsing down on herself on the first landing.

  Daphne chewed on her lip. Everything in her was screaming that this was her mother’s usual tricks, that it was a trap, and that she just should walk out the door. But still, there was a part of her heart that ached, hoping that for once, it wasn’t all an act.

  “I’ve wanted to apologize to you for some time,” her mother continued. “But you never let me have the opportunity.”

  Has she really changed? Have I been too harsh? How might she have reacted to my death?

  Against her better judgement, Daphne could feel her heart softening. She turned, looking at her mother, tears dripping onto the carpet of the stairwell. Daphne chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment and then made her decision.

  I’ve already died once. If it’s too hellish, I can just walk out again. For now, I can keep my distance to see if she’s really changed or not. She can have a trial period. What’s the worst that can happen to me at this point?

  “Apologies will never be enough,” Daphne replied, her voice harsh and unyielding despite the warmth growing in her heart. “You have to prove your words through actions.”

  Her mother nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes, looking back at Daphne. Her eyes were bloodshot. Daphne knew it was the telltale sign that her mother had been genuinely crying.

  “I will,” she said. “So long as you give me a chance to try.”

  Daphne chewed on her lips, still unsure if she was doing the right thing. “This is your chance,” Daphne replied.

  “Really?” Her mother had on the look of a brand-new puppy. She rushed down the remaining stairs, and leaped into Daphne, wrapping her arms around her daughter’s neck in a hug.

  Daphne had to do her best not to recoil. It was not the reaction she had been expecting at all. I don’t know how I feel about any kind of affectionate contact with this woman, Daphne thought. Her stomach rolled as her mother hugged her. Just as she always had been, her mother’s hug was cold.

  Stepping out of the hug, Kimberly regarded her daughter and pinched her on the cheek. “Look at you!” she exclaimed. “You look like a true professional.”

  Those tears sure faded fast.

  “I am a professional,” Daphne said with a half-hearted smile.

  “So, I’m throwing a little family dinner this weekend,” her mother said with a bright grin. “Would you be willing to come? If you have a partner, please bring them, too. I’d love to meet them!”

  Daphne frowned. So, this is what she was actually after. There must be a reason why she wants to get everyone back together, then.

  “I’ll consider it and let you know,” Daphne replied.

  A touch of the energy on her mother’s face faltered a bit, but she ended up nodding with a small smile. “Thank you for thinking on it,” she said. “I really do hope you’ll be able to join us, though.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Daphne replied.

  “Well,” her mother replied, still far more chipper than she should be for someone who had just been crying. “I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll be on my way to let you be.”

  “Sounds good,” Daphne said, narrowing her eyes a little at her mother. “Goodbye.” She began her ascent back up the stairs.

  “See you soon!” her mother replied. Daphne heard the door slam behind Kimberly as she left the apartment building.

  That woman has done truly unforgivable things to me. Daphne’s fists clenched again. If she thinks a mere apology is going to make up for it, she’s going to have another thing coming. Daphne paused. But I’ll give her a chance. A single chance.