14 An Idol’s Message, A Child’s Fury
Elara watched her daughter pace around the kitchen island. Cora checked her phone
for the fifth time in three minutes, her small face pinched with anxiety.
“Why isn’t she answering?” Cora mumbled, glancing at her screen again.
“Who?” Elara asked, placing a bowl of cereal in front of Cora’s chair.
“Aunt Vivi.” Cora’s tone was clipped. “She has her big race today, but she hasn’t answered my good luck text.”
Elara noted Cora’s attireesigner jeans with rhinestones down the sides and a bright pink crop top that was far too mature for a child her age. Her daughter had even attempted to style her hair like Vivienne’s signature messy waves. The resemblance made Elara’s stomach tighten.
“Maybe she’s busy preparing,” Elara suggested gently. “Racing requires intense focus.”
Cora scowled. “She always answers me. Always.”
When Cora’s phone remained silent, she slammed it down on the table. “This is your
fault!”
“My fault?” Elara blinked in surprise. “How could it possibly�”
knows you’re here this weekend instead of traveling!” Cora snapped. “She ably thinks you’ll get mad if she texts me.”
Elara took a deep breath. “Cora, that’s not true. Vivienne has never needed my permission to communicate with you.”
“Whatever.” Cora pushed away her cereal bowl. “I’m not hungry.”
Elara sat down across from her daughter. “You need breakfast before school.”
“Where’s Dad?” Cora demanded, ignoring the food.
“He had an early meeting,” Elara lied smoothly. She wouldn’t tell Cora that Damien had left before dawn to attend Vivienne’s race.
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“He promised to watch Aunt Vivi’s race with me tonight,” Cora said, perking up slightly. “We’re going to make popcorn and everything.”
“That sounds nice.” Elara kept her voice neutral despite the sharp ache in her chest. Another family moment she wasn’t included in.
Cora reluctantly began eating her cereal while continuously checking her phone. Elara took the opportunity to observe her daughter more closely. When had Cora become so attached to Vivienne? The transformation had happened so gradually that Elara had missed the warning signs.
“I need to grab my science project from upstairs,” Cora announced after finishing half her breakfast. She dashed from the kitchen, leaving her phone on the table.
The screen lit up with a notification. Despite herself, Elara glanced at it.
“Vivienne
: Sorry for the late reply, princess! Just finished practice laps. I’m going to win this one for you! Can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow. Love you
loads! 锞搗”
The message was followed by a selfie of Vivienne in her racing suit, blowing a kiss to
the camera.
Elara looked away, her throat tight. The easy affection between Vivienne and Cora was just another reminder of what Elara had lost.
Footsteps thundered down the stairs, and Cora burst back into the kitchen. She grabbed her phone and let out a squeal of delight.
“Aunt Vivi answered!” Her entire demeanor transformed instantly. The sullen girl from moments ago disappeared, replaced by a beaming child. “She’s going to win for me! Did you see, Mom? She called me princess!”
“I see,” Elara said quietly. “That’s very nice.”
“Dad says she’s going to break the circuit record today,” Cora continued, suddenly talkative. “He says she’s the best female driver in the country.”
“We should get going or you’ll be late for school,” Elara said, standing up.
In the car, Cora tapped happily on her phone, presumably texting Vivienne back. The
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silence between mother and daughter stretched until Elara attempted conversation.
“I thought we might go shopping this weekend,” she offered. “You’ve grown so much since I last bought you clothes.”
Cora looked up briefly. “I can’t. Dad’s taking me to Aunt Vivi’s after school today, and I’m staying there all weekend.”
Elara’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “All weekend? But I just got home yesterday.”
“So?” Cora shrugged. “You’re always working anyway.”
“I cleared my schedule to spend time with you,” Elara explained, trying to keep her voice level.
“Well, I already have plans,” Cora said dismissively. “Actually, I’m glad you’re busy. Now
Dad won’t make me cancel with Aunt Vivi.”
Each word felt like a small cut. Elara focused on driving, swallowing the hurt that
threatened to overwhelm her.
They pulled up to the school, joining the line of cars dropping off students. Elara spotted a familiar little girl in a pink dress walking hand–in–hand with her mother.
“There’s Lily Hayes, Elara said, genuinely pleased to see the child. “Do you remember her? I helped her find her mom at the charity gala last month.”
Cora glanced at the girl without interest. “The crybaby.”
“She was lost and frightened,” Elara corrected. “It was a crowded event.”
They exited the car, and Elara waved at Lily’s mother, who smiled and approached with her daughter.
“Elara! So nice to see you again,” Mrs. Hayes greeted warmly. “Lily still talks about how you rescued her.”
Lily, a shy six–year–old with blonde pigtails, peeked out from behind her mother. “Hi,
Mrs. Thorne.”
Elara knelt down to Lily’s level. “Hello, Lily. I love your dress. Pink suits you beautifully.”
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The little girl beamed at the compliment. “Thank you! Mommy says I can wear it
because I was brave at the dentist yesterday.”
“Very impressive,” Elara smiled, giving the child’s hand a gentle squeeze.
A sudden force knocked Lily sideways. The little girl stumbled, nearly falling before her mother caught her.
Cora stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Lily. “You’re so weak. You look ugly and disgusting in pink!”
“Cora!” Elara gasped, shocked at her daughter’s behavior. “What are you doing?”
“She’s a stupid baby,” Cora spat, her face twisted with anger. “And you don’t need to talk to her. You’re MY mom, not hers!”
Mrs. Hayes pulled her now–crying daughter close, looking horrified. “I think we should go, Lily.”
Elara stood frozen, mortified by her daughter’s outburst. The tenderness she’d shown Lily had triggered something primal and possessive in Cora.
“Apologize immediately;” Elara demanded, finding her voice.
“No!” Cora shouted, drawing stares from other parents and children. “You’re always nice to everyone else, but you never have time for me! And now when you’re finally here, you’re making googly eyes at that stupid baby!”
Mrs. Hayes hurried away with Lily, casting a disappointed glance back at Elara.
Cora’s eyes filled with angry tears. “I hate you! I wish Aunt Vivi was my mom instead!”
The words hit Elara like a physical blow. She knelt in front of her daughter, grasping her shoulders firmly.
“Cora Thorne, that behavior is completely unacceptable,” she said, keeping her voice low but stern. “We don’t push others. We don’t say cruel things. Ever.”
“Let go of me!” Cora twisted away, her face red with rage. “Dad says I should stand up for myself! Aunt Vivi says I should never let anyone take what’s mine!”
In that moment, Elara saw beyond her daughter’s anger to the hurt and confusion
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beneath. Cora wasn’t just mimicking Vivienne’s style he was internalizing her values, her approach to relationships. The realization left Elara cold with fear.
“What’s mine…” Elara repeated softly, the implications sinking in. Her daughter viewed affection as a competition, a resource to be hoarded and defended.
Cora glared at her, breathing hard, waiting for Elara’s next move. Around them, the school yard had grown quiet, parents and children watching the drama unfold with undisguised curiosity.
Elara straightened, acutely aware of the audience they’d attracted. This wasn’t a conversation for public consumption. But as she looked into her daughter’s defiant eyes, she realized they’d reached å breaking point that couldn’t be ignored.
