Present TimeLuke’s P.O.V. I still remember the day after protecting her, how I treated her with cruelty just to show myself that I hated her and didn’t care for her.FlashbackFive Years AgoI stand under the shower, loathing myself for getting soft with Daisy last night. I didn’t know what happened to me when I saw her drowning in the water. Although I have a soft spot for Daisy, I can’t show it to her.She deserves one thing, and that is my hatred. I can’t be soft with her like before. Just as Olivia cheated on me, she cheated on my best friend, Max. Because of Daisy, Max died in a car accident. Although I care for Daisy, I’ll never forgive her for snatching my best friend away.Whenever I even think about forgiving Daisy, I feel like I’m betraying Max.All women wear the mask of innocence to hide their wickedness and fool men. I can’t let Daisy make me the person I was before, someone who trusted women. No matter what, I can’t fall for her facade and won’t let myself break again.
Luke’s P.O.V. Flashback Five Years AgoThe door to my room bursts open, and I see Daisy entering. She locks the door and hastily removes her clothes, shocking me.What is she doing? I didn’t ask her to get undressed.As she approaches me, naked, I say in a stern tone, “I didn’t ask you to do that, Daisy.”“So what?” She questions back, tears trickling down her cheeks. “Why should I need clothes when I’m alone with you? Because you want me like this only.”“But my mood is good, so put your clothes back.” I feel a twinge of guilt and pain deep down at the sight of her tear-stained face. But I can’t show her that her tears are affecting me, so I add, “Yes, I like you naked, but only when I ask you.”“Luke, I’m your wife, not your slave.” She bites her lower lip to suppress her sob. “It hurts me the way you treat me.”“Do you think I care about what hurts you?” I roll my eyes, although deep inside, her condition hurts me. I stare into her eyes and continue, “You know the truth. You’re m
Daisy’s P.O.V. Flashback Five Years AgoAfter putting on my dress, I step out of the room, searching for Luke. Last night, he was just about to reveal the reason for his hatred towards me. Couldn’t I have fainted just a minute later?However, now I know the truth. I won’t back off until Luke answers why he despises me.I stop as I see him sitting at the dining table having breakfast.Be strong, Daisy. Confront him; it’s high time.Encouraging myself, I walk over to him.“Luke,” I whisper, standing beside him, and he looks up from his breakfast, his face devoid of any emotion. “I—”I pause as he hurls a bunch of papers at me, startling me. They fall to the floor, and I stare at Luke, trying to read his expression. But his face is unreadable, his eyes cold.I slowly bend down to pick up the scattered papers from the floor, my hands trembling slightly. “What is this?” I ask, glancing up at him.Luke replies in a curt tone, “Divorce papers.”I freeze as his words reach my ears. I feel l
Daisy’s P.O.V.I’m working on my laptop, and beside me, Hope is sleeping, hugging her Rabi. I couldn’t sleep properly last night because of the dreadful memories of my past. Luke’s return to my life has reopened old wounds.I was an idiot to let Luke treat me with cruelty; now I won’t let him do it again.“Mommy.” As Hope calls me in a sleepy tone, I shift my gaze towards her. A smile spreads across my face as I see her adorably rubbing her eyes, kneeling beside me on the bed.I place the laptop on my other side and open my arms. “Come here, my little princess.”She smiles softly and immediately settles on my lap, telling me, “Mommy, Hopi saw a very beautiful dream.”“What dream?” I inquire, embracing her in my warm arms.“I saw my uncle in my dream, and I was calling him Daddy.” My face becomes pale upon hearing Hope’s words. “Mommy, will you make Uncle Hope’s Daddy?” She asks in an innocent tone, placing her hand on my face, and my chest becomes heavy with pain.Don’t cry, Daisy. Ju
Luke’s P.O.V.“Oopsie Topsy!” Hope sticks her tongue out. “I forgot to take your permission before calling you Daddy. Will you be my Daddy, Uncle?” As Hope asks, I stare at Daisy.She shakes her head at me, signalling me to deny Hope, and murmurs, “No.”“Please, say yes.” As Hope implores, I shift my gaze towards her adorable face. “Don’t you want to become the Daddy of a cutie girl like me?” She bats her eyelashes at me.I’m dying to tell her I don’t have to become her daddy because I’m her father.“Please, say something. Don’t you want to become my daddy? Don’t you like Hope? Am I that bad?” As her eyes become teary, I feel a pang in my heart.Shit! What am I doing? I can’t let her cry because of me. I’ll handle Daisy’s anger afterwards; now it’s important to make my daughter happy.“Hey, don’t say that, kiddo.” I take a deep breath before speaking up in a soft tone, placing my hand on Hope’s face, ignoring Daisy’s angry look. “You’re the most adorable kid I have ever met. Anybody w
Luke’s P.O.V.I close the soundproof partition of the car, separating us from the driver’s seat because I want to converse with Daisy. I’m dropping Hope and Daisy off at their home. Daisy’s gaze is fixed on the window.When I offered them a ride, Daisy initially refused, but Hope persuaded her in the end. As we settled into the backseat, Hope dozed off within a few minutes in Daisy’s arms.“Daisy,” I call her, but she doesn’t respond. She just keeps looking outside, completely ignoring me. However, I continue, “I know your anger, your hatred, everything is justified. But think about Hope. She is so happy to have her father. At least for her, let me—” I pause as she turns her face towards me and shoots me a glare.“Just stop it, Luke,” she snaps at me. “I’m keeping you away from us, for Hope’s sake. You can hurt her in the future. I’m afraid of you.”Hurt Hope? I could never do that, not even in my dreams.“What are you saying, Daisy?” I stare at her in shock. “Hope is my daughter. How
Luke’s P.O.V.I cancelled my meeting and came to meet Hope after school. Yesterday, I decided to keep myself away from Daisy and Hope because I didn’t want to hurt Daisy any further. But when I heard Hope’s voice message this morning, I couldn’t stop myself from coming to see my little princess.I’m certain Daisy will freak out when she sees me today, but for my princess, I can bear anything.I stand, leaning against the car, my eyes glued to the main gate of the school. It’s been more than eight hours since I last saw Hope, and I’m longing to see her.Finally, I spot her emerging from the school gate, her backpack bouncing against her as she runs towards me with excitement.A smile spreads across my face as I open my arms, kneeling on the road. I don’t care about my jeans getting dirty; I just want to wrap my little princess in my warm arms.She throws her arms around me. “Daddy, Hope missed you so much.”“I missed you more, kiddo.” I hold her close with a contented smile on my face,
Luke’s P.O.V.“Mr. Anderson, I need your help. Can you come here?” I hear Eva’s voice from the kitchen as I settle down at the dining table with Hope.“Hope, I’ll be right back.” I walk to the kitchen after placing a kiss on Hope’s cheek.As I enter the kitchen, I see Eva standing with a stern expression, her arms folded across her chest. “I talked to Daisy and found out that you’re her ex-husband.”I lower my gaze, bracing myself to hear all the harsh words I deserve.However, instead of berating me, she speaks softly, surprising me. “I don’t know what you’ve done to Daisy in the past, but I’m certain it must have been something terrible. That’s why she is so afraid to trust you now. But Luke, I believe in second chances. I can see you genuinely care for Hope, and she deserves to have her father.”I stare at her in shock and disbelief. I didn’t think she would understand me. We have just met a few hours ago. She has rendered me speechless.She continues, “Luke, I can clearly see that