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
Luke’s P.O.V.“Luke, I want to meet you now.” I can’t believe my ears when Daisy calls and directly asks to meet up.I’m seated on the sofa, holding the phone to my ear, staring straight ahead in shock. “What—what did you just say?” I ask, stammering.She repeats, “I want to meet you, Luke.”After composing myself, I question, “Okay. Where?”“Bocado Cafe.” She hangs up before I can say anything else.Daisy didn’t want to see my face until yesterday. Now she wants to meet me. Why?***I sit outside the cafe, waiting for Daisy to arrive. As she approaches, she gives me a pointed look before taking a seat beside me.She is wearing a simple top and jeans, yet looking beautiful. How does she always manage to look so pretty?“Look, I’m only here for Hope,” she begins, looking directly at me. “She’s getting attached to you, so I’ve decided not to keep her away from you any longer. You can stay with her during the daytime while I’m at work.”I stare at her in surprise. She’s giving me permiss
Daisy’s P.O.V.As I enter my room, the sight before me brings tears to my eyes. Hope and Luke are sleeping, with Hope lying on top of him. It seems like a dream. After the way Luke threw me out of his life, I never thought I would ever witness this moment.However, deep inside, I always longed for it. I truly wanted my daughter to experience a father’s love. Thank God, Aunt made me understand, and I didn’t make the mistake of keeping them apart.I was furious when Aunt told me that Luke took Hope to my apartment when I clearly instructed him to leave before I returned. But all my anger disappears as I witness the sight before me.I take my phone out of my handbag and capture this blissful moment with a smile on my face.After approaching them, I put the comforter over them and lean in to give a peck on Hope’s forehead. I stand up, controlling the urge to kiss Luke’s forehead.I truly hate the fact that I’m still drawn to Luke. After all these years, he still has the power to drive me
Luke’s P.O.V.I sit on the sofa, holding my head. The memories of how I treated Daisy in the past revolve around my mind, driving me crazy with guilt. She never deserved that treatment. I want to kill myself every time I recall the past.However, now I promise myself that I’ll fill Daisy’s life with beautiful moments so she’ll forget every painful memory. I’m never going to give up on her.As the door to Daisy’s room swings open, my eyes widen in surprise. Daisy is wearing the dress I bought for her today, the one I imagined her in. But to be honest, she looks even more beautiful than I had imagined. I didn’t think she would wear this dress.I can’t take my eyes off her. She looks out of this world.“Daddy…” As I hear Hope’s voice, I lower my gaze to her. She stands, holding her mommy’s hand, wearing the matching dress. She looks as adorable as always.“Daddy, how do we look?” she asks, placing one hand on her waist and pouting at me.I chuckle at her expression and rise from the sofa
Daisy’s P.O.V.As Luke stands beside me, holding out his hand, I am just about to rise from the sofa, ignoring him, but Hope places my hand in his, giggling.A smile flashes on his face as he clasps my hand, sending a shiver down my spine. Yes, his mere touch still affects me like this, and I hate it.“Go, go, Mommy and Daddy!” Hope squeals, standing on the sofa and bouncing on it.I take a deep breath before standing up. Luke leads me to the dance floor after passing me a small smile. Five years ago, I yearned for his affection. Now, when Luke is finally treating me with kindness and care, I feel baffled.Part of me wants to push him away, to maintain the walls I’ve built around my heart to protect myself from getting hurt again. But another part of me, a part I’ve tried to bury deep inside, yearns for love from him.As we stand in front of each other on the dance floor, I look everywhere except at him. He grabs my waist with one hand and entwines my fingers with his other, drawing m
Luke’s P.O.V.“Wow! You both look so good together,” Eva compliments when Hope shows her the dance video of Daisy and me.We’re at Eva’s apartment. I brought Hope here from school.“You know, Granny, Mommy and Daddy kissed each other on the lips,” Hope tells her, giggling as she sits in her lap.I rub the back of my neck, blushing, as Eva stares at me in surprise. “Your relationship with Daisy is progressing so fast. I’m quite surprised.”Before I can say anything, Hope clarifies, “When Mommy and Daddy were about to kiss my cheeks, I moved away. And then…”Hope and Eva’s laughter fills the room, while I recall our last night kiss. Anyway, it wasn’t a kiss; it was just a quick peck which intensified my desire to taste her lips. Only I knew last night how I controlled myself from grabbing her hair and devouring her luscious lips.***“Daddy, let’s video call Mommy. Hope is missing her.” Hope requests, sitting in my lap, munching on her chocolate cookies while watching her rhymes on TV.
Daisy’s P.O.V.As I pack the bags for the trip, Hope goes to the washroom to pee. She made me pack all the dresses she had purchased with her father a few days ago.“Mommy, come!” As I hear Hope’s shout, I immediately rush to the bathroom, worried about her.“What—” As I enter, my words trail off, seeing the sight in front of me. Hope has spilt shampoo all over the clothes.I march towards her, scolding, “Hope, what did you do?”“Mommy, I was just washing my hands,” she says, giving me an innocent look.“But, Hope, it’s shampoo,” I explain. “We wash our hair with this.”“Oopsie-Topsy, Mommy. Hope forgot.” She giggles, and I shake my head in disbelief at her condition.“Now I have to bathe you.” I kneel and take off her dress.“Yippee… I’ll bathe again.” She claps her hands with delight because she loves to play with water in her little pink bathtub.“Hopi, don’t tell me you did this deliberately to take a bath.” I give her a wary look, placing my hands on my waist.She shakes her head
Luke’s P.O.V.I admire my little princess who sleeps soundly on the bed in the private jet. Daisy has gone to the restroom. I can’t believe I’m going on my first vacation with my family. It feels unreal.I never thought that after coming to New York, my life would change like this. Meeting Hope, feeling a strong connection with her, meeting Daisy, then learning Hope is my daughter—everything seems so surreal. And now, here we are, flying together in my private jet.Despite all the mistakes I’ve made in the past, I’m grateful for the second chance to be a part of their lives, to be Hope’s father.My trance breaks as the plane suddenly shakes, and Daisy falls onto my lap. My hands automatically grab her bare waist to steady her. She clutches my blazer, and our gazes lock. Our heartbeats quicken, and our breathing becomes heavy because of our proximity.She looks even more beautiful up close. I can sense her body shivering because of my touch on her waist, and I’m getting hard beneath he