That morning, the sun shone brightly, but not a single drop of warmth touched Raeya's heart.
She was ready for school, her uniform neat, her hair tied in a simple ponytail. But her eyes were dull—lifeless.
Her steps were slow, like her feet were too heavy to leave the house that no longer felt like home.
As her hand reached for the doorknob—
"Raeya, wait," a voice stopped her.
Raeya froze, but didn't turn around right away. Her heart beat quietly, and when she finally turned, she saw the person she wanted most to avoid: Celene, standing there with her usual perfect makeup and sweet smile.
"I'll drive you to school, alright?" she said gently. "We can get closer if I take you and pick you up."
Raeya frowned, clearly displeased. Her eyes were sharp—unapologetically filled with hate.
"That's unnecessary. I'm used to being driven by the driver," she replied flatly.
"Oh, come on, sweetie. You'll get used to me too," Celene smiled wider, as if she didn't notice Raeya's icy tone.
Sweetie? Mom? Disgusting.
Raeya stared at her coldly. "I said it's not necessary," she repeated, more firmly.
Just as she was about to walk out, another set of footsteps approached.
Arvind appeared, looking irritated, having witnessed their exchange.
"Raeya!" he snapped.
Raeya clenched her fists. Raeya, Raeya, Raeya…
Only ever called when she was about to be scolded. Never to be asked how she was doing.
Never to be hugged. Never to be spoken to with a father's warmth.
"I don't want to be driven by that woman!" Raeya shouted.
"Don't talk like that!" Arvind barked back. "I didn't raise you to be rude! From now on, your mother will be taking you to school, and that's final!"
"B-but…"
"No buts! That's my decision."
Raeya could only swallow her anger and tears. She stomped toward the car, her breath heavy, her body tense.
Celene turned to Arvind, wrapping herself around his arm.
"It's okay, love. Raeya's still young. She just needs time to accept me," she said sweetly. "Don't keep yelling like that… You'll get wrinkles."
She planted a soft kiss on Arvind's cheek and walked to the car.
Raeya sat in the passenger seat, turning her face toward the window, trying not to vomit the nausea climbing her throat.
Celene started the engine and began to drive. "Raeya, I want to be close to you. I want to be the kind of mother who loves you. Don't be sad, okay?"
Raeya shut her eyes, grinding her teeth. Celene's gentle voice sounded like a snake wrapping around her neck.
"Ugh. Disgusting," she muttered.
"Hm? What was that, sweetie?" Celene glanced over, still with her patient smile.
"Your act is disgusting. Stop pretending you want to be close to me. No matter what, even if I die, I will never call you my mother. You're just… a revolting woman to me."
The car suddenly screeched to a halt on the side of the road.
Raeya turned, startled.
Celene's expression had changed. The sweet smile was gone.
All that remained was a dark face, her eyes burning with rage.
"You should be grateful I'm still patient with your attitude! You should be thanking me for trying!"
Raeya glared back. "You're not my mother. You're my mother's enemy. You're the one who ruined my life!"
Celene's shout exploded. "RAEYA!!"
She twisted in her seat, facing Raeya, her voice dripping with threat.
"You think you can fight me? Huh? Listen carefully—your father will never take your side! He only listens to me. I'm the one in control now. So don't you dare mess with me… or you'll regret it."
Raeya froze. Her body trembled, lips quivering. She wanted to cry, but held it back with all her might.
Her heart felt stomped on—crushed by this woman—and there was no one who could save her.
Celene gave a chilling smile. "Good. Stay quiet like that. I'm tired of pretending. But don't worry, I'll still keep my sweet little act in front of your father."
The car moved again.
The rest of the ride was silent—except for the engine and Raeya's pounding heartbeat.
When they arrived at school, Raeya quickly opened the door and tried to bolt.
But Celene grabbed her hand and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Have a lovely day, okay? Mommy loves you," she whispered in Raeya's ear.
Raeya trembled.
It was the coldest, most revolting hug she had ever felt.
There was no love. No warmth. Only masks.
As soon as Celene let go, Raeya ran. Her breathing shallow, her eyes glossy.
Some students at the school yard whispered.
"Raeya's so lucky. Her mom died, and now she already has a new one. So pretty and kind too."
"Yeah, I'm jealous. Rich, pretty, loving family. If I were her, I'd be so grateful…"
But they didn't know.
They only saw the surface.
They never saw the gaping wounds hidden behind Raeya's smile.
She rushed into the school bathroom and locked herself in a stall.
She cried in silence.
You want to be me? Go ahead.
But be prepared to live in the hell people call "home."
She washed her face, then went back to class.
"Raeya, your face is so pale," said Layla with concern.
"I… I'm just not feeling well," Raeya answered softly.
"Let's go to the infirmary," Vira offered.
"No need. I can still manage…"
The final bell rang. Raeya walked out with Layla and Vira, a little calmer.
Until she saw who was picking her up.
Celene.
"Whoa, it's true. She is the one picking you up," Layla whispered to Vira.
Celene chatted casually with Vira's mother, laughing as if the world belonged to her.
"Well, we're heading home," said Vira's mom with a smile.
After they left, Layla also went home with her driver.
Now it was just Raeya and Celene.
The car ride was just like that morning—tense, silent, suffocating.
"So, how was school? Fun?" Celene asked in a forced cheerful tone.
Raeya said nothing. She gave a small nod without turning.
Celene glanced at her sideways, lips curling into a knowing smile.
A fake smile. A fake world. A fake family.