CHAPTER 26

*First Person Perspective*

~Alpha Lucas~

As the door clicked softly shut behind Denise, I leaned back in my chair, my heart beating a little faster, though my lips curled into a small smile. She had looked so... flustered. It was amusing to me, how easily I could make her blush. I had said that just to gauge her reaction, the words, “Maybe that’s why I’m falling for you,” had slipped out almost on instinct.

Of course, I wasn’t sure if it was love—hell, I wasn’t sure I even knew what love felt like anymore. But there was definitely something there, something that kept pulling me toward her, and I couldn’t deny it. Maybe it was attraction. Maybe it was the way she seemed to balance everything in my chaotic life. But no matter what it was, I knew it was leading somewhere. She could feel it too— whatever it was

My thoughts drifted back to her flushed face, the way she quickly excused herself after I had said that. Maybe it was too much. She was a smart woman, capable and independent, and yet there was this vulnerability she kept hidden behind her professional exterior. That was what intrigued me the most, I think.

But no, I wouldn’t push her into doing what she didn't want to. I wouldn't try to force my feelings on her or make her feel uncomfortable around me

I sighed, trying to focus on the work in front of me, but it was hard. It always was when she was around. I reached for the contract again, flipping through it even though I wasn't really paying attention, my thoughts kept wandering back to her.

Maybe I was falling for her, I thought, running a hand through my hair. But was I ready for that? Was Miracle ready for that? With all that's been going on in my life, I don't this is the right time to fall in love. As I leaned back in my chair, my hands on my chin and deeply in thought,

The door creaked open, breaking my train of thought. I quickly looked up, expecting Marcus or Simon to walk in, but instead, it was Miracle—my little girl.

“Daddy!” she called out, her voice bright and innocent as she walked towards me

I smiled warmly and got up from my chair to meet her. Squatting down to her eye level, I could see the look of curiosity in her big brown eyes. “Hey, sweetheart. What’s going on?”

She crossed her arms over her little chest and tilted her head, studying me with an intensity that was oddly familiar. “Why do you always stare at Dr Denise that way?.”

I froze. A lump formed in my throat. She was perceptive, Even with her illness, she was still smart and very observant. My heart stuttered in my chest. What was I supposed to say to her?

She continued, her voice small but serious. “Do you love her, Daddy?”

For a moment, I was speechless. How was I supposed to answer her? Miracle was only five years old—she didn’t understand the complexities of love, relationships, or any of the other tangled messes that I was trying to navigate in my life. I didn’t want to break her fragile little heart, but at the same time, I didn’t want to lie to her either.

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. “Miracle,” I started, my voice gentle, “I... I don’t know if I love her. But I really, really like her. I think... maybe something could grow from that.”

Her eyes widened as she took in my words. “So you like her a lot?” she pressed, her little brow furrowed in thought.

I nodded slowly, not sure if I was making any sense to her. “Yeah. I like her a lot.”

I couldn’t help but feel like I was saying all this to a little girl who wouldn’t even understand what I meant. But then again, she had an uncanny ability to read people. She had to have understood something, even if the full weight of it was lost on her.

She gave me a satisfied nod, as though she had gotten the answer she needed. But then, her expression shifted.

“Daddy, does that mean you don’t love Mommy anymore?”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest tightened, and my heart dropped. My mind scrambled for an answer that wouldn’t cause her more pain as I felt her heart twisted. She was unhappy

“Miracle, sweetheart…” I started, my voice cracking slightly. “You know I loved your mom. But things... things didn’t work out between us.”

Her lower lip trembled as she stepped closer to me, her small hands reaching up to tug at my sleeve. “But you said you’d always love her. You promised! You said she was coming back.”

God, no. I hadn’t expected this. How could I explain this to her? How could I tell her that her mother wasn’t coming back? That things would never go back to the way they were before?

My throat went dry, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak.

“I…” I started, but the words wouldn’t come. “I don’t know what to say, Miracle. I wish I could change things for you. For both of us.”

The words felt hollow. Useless. What was I supposed to tell her? That her mother wasn’t coming back? That she had chosen a different path? I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

Miracle sniffled, her big brown eyes welling up with tears. “Daddy, why did she leave? Why can’t she come back? Is it because of my illness? Was I being bad? I promise I'll never be bad again, I want mummy back" she cried and I could only draw her closer

I felt my chest tighten, a wave of guilt crashing over me. She was just a little girl. She didn’t understand that sometimes people made choices—choices that couldn’t be undone. And how could I explain to her that her mother had made one of those choices?

“You did nothing,sweetheart, this is none of your fault” I said, finally finding my voice, though it felt weak. “I don’t know why she left.” I whispered

Miracle’s face crumpled as the tears began to fall, her little body shaking as she clung to me. I held her close, my own heart aching at the sound of her sobs.

“I want Mommy,” she whimpered. “I don’t want things to change.”

“I know, I know,” I whispered, rubbing her back gently. “I wish I could make everything better, but sometimes, we can’t control what happens.”

The door to my office creaked open again, and this time, I was relieved to see Marcus. He gave me a quick look before stepping fully into the room.

“Everything okay, Lucas?” he asked quietly, his voice steady as always.

I nodded “Yeah, just… dealing with some things with Miracle.”

Marcus’s gaze softened as he noticed the tears on my daughter’s face. “Miracle, honey, what’s the matter?”

“I want Mommy,” she sniffled again, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes.

My heart broke all over again.

Marcus crouched down to her level and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Hey now, don’t cry. You’re a strong girl, right? Strong like your dad.”

Miracle looked at him, her eyes still filled with tears, but her sobs began to quiet. She nodded slightly, though her lip still quivered.

I squeezed her hand, trying to offer comfort, though I felt just as helpless as she did. “I need to work now, okay? You can go play with Marcus for a while, alright?”

She shook her head stubbornly. “No, I want to stay with you.”

I sighed, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I really need to get some work done. You can’t be here while I do it. And you need to relax and have some fun. To...get your mummy off your mine”

She let out a soft cry, but before I could comfort her, Marcus stood up and gave her a warm smile. “How about we go play outside for a while? I’ll let you ride the horses again.”

Her tear-streaked face brightened slightly, and she wiped her eyes. “Really? Horses?”

Marcus nodded, giving her a wink. “Yeah, come on. Let’s go. Your dad needs some time to think, alright?”

Miracle hesitated for a moment before looking at me. “Daddy?”

I smiled at her, though my heart was heavy. “Go with Marcus, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you get back.”

With a final sniffle, Miracle nodded and took Marcus’s hand. They walked out of the room together, and I watched them go, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

When the door clicked shut behind them, I sank back into my chair, the familiar feeling of helplessness washing over me again. What was I doing? How was I supposed to fix any of this?