The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 198

Danielle stopped by the stationery store and bought a bundle of school supplies for Niki.

Lately, Niki had been resting at home, still recovering after her recent scare—she'd fallen into the water while rock climbing, and it had shaken her up.

But not once had she let her studies slip.

When Danielle got home, she was relieved to see Niki looking much better. She ruffled her daughter's hair with a gentle smile. "You'll be able to go back to school tomorrow."

At the mention of school, Niki didn't brighten as Danielle had hoped. Instead, her eyes dropped and she simply nodded, almost as if she was bracing herself.

Danielle had noticed her daughter's spirits had been duller than usual lately. Maybe it was because of what she'd told Niki—that from now on, they'd have nothing more to do with Alexander.

Every child hopes for their father's love, Danielle thought. Suddenly telling her there'd be no more contact—of course Niki was taking it hard.

Still, Danielle couldn't shake the feeling that there might be something else at play.

She frowned slightly. "Sweetheart, if you're upset about anything, you can always talk to me," she said softly.

Niki kept her eyes on the new pens and notebooks Danielle had bought, her voice gentle. "I'm okay, Mom."

Danielle watched her for a moment, then knelt to her level. "Listen to me, Niki. None of this is because you weren't good enough. Your dad doesn't dislike you. I divorced him because we fell out of love, not because of you. None of this is your fault."

Niki pressed her lips together, then looked up at Danielle and managed a small smile. "I know, Mom."

Her voice was almost a whisper. "I'm not sad. I always knew Dad didn't really like me. He only ever cared about my brother."

She said it so calmly now, though Danielle remembered a time when those words would have left her in tears. Danielle wondered just how many lonely nights it had taken for her daughter to accept this truth.

She's such a good kid, Danielle thought, her heart aching. She wanted to say something to make it all better, but the words wouldn't come.

Niki clearly didn't want to talk any more, and Danielle felt helpless.

—

The next morning, Danielle got up early to take Niki to preschool.

That afternoon, her phone rang. It was Nash.

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