Luke’s P.O.V.
I lose track of how long I’ve been admiring Hope. To my surprise, from the moment my eyes fall on this little bundle of joy, a beatific smile refuses to leave my face. It’s a smile that has been missing from my life for so long. Who is this girl? What is she doing to me? Why am I drawn to her? Maybe it’s because she reminds me of Daisy. Hope’s hair is exactly like hers. Whatever it is, there is something special about her that brings peace to my heart, a peace I have never felt before. But do I deserve this? Do I deserve to be happy? Does a monster like me deserve this peace? Although I know I don’t deserve these things in my life, I still want to stay with Hope. Haven’t I punished myself enough by depriving myself of all the pleasures of life? For five years, I have been running from happiness because I wanted to make myself suffer. Even though I want to punish myself until my last breath, it’s getting hard now. I’m yearning for peace and happiness. I’m longing to meet Daisy. Where could she be? I hope she is fine and has found the happiness she deserves. However, the thought of her marrying someone else drives me crazy. I know I have no right to her and she can never be mine again, but I still go insane when I imagine her with someone else. My trance break hearing Hope’s teacher’s voice, “Hope, let’s go, baby. Your Mommy will be here in a few minutes.” As she completes her sentence, I feel uneasy. I don’t know why, but I don’t want her to go. I want her to stay with me a little longer. The mere thought of her going away is making my heart ache. For the first time, my heart longs for someone other than Daisy. Daisy loved me like no one else ever did, yet I shattered her heart like a monster. I’m aware the pain I’m experiencing pales in comparison to what she endured. I fully deserve whatever fate has brought upon me. This anguish is insignificant compared to the sin I committed by destroying the soul of someone so innocent. Again, I drown myself in the pool of guilt, but I feel a soft touch on my palm, pulling me back to reality. I look at Hope, who is already staring at me with a sad pout. “What happened, Hope?” I ask, giving her a small smile, or should I say I try to smile because the emotions I’m going through are far from a smile. She shakes her head. “Nothing.” I carefully help her get off the bench, and she doesn’t look away from me. She just keeps staring at me with her innocent blue eyes, which makes me want to hold on to her a little longer than usual. I part my lips to tell her I’m going to miss her a lot, but before that, her teacher cuts me off. “Let’s go, Hope. Your mom just messaged me she will be here in two minutes,” she informs Hope, holding her hand before glancing at the phone and keeping it back in her pocket. Hope nods at her before giving me a glance, while I feel myself rooted to the bench, as if my legs will give up as soon as I stand. I look at the tiny bundle of joy who walks away from me, making me feel a sudden emptiness. “Wait, teacher,” Hope suddenly says, stopping, and before I know it, she comes running towards me. In reaction, I kneel to her level, and before I know it, her tiny hands are already wrapped around my neck. Although the distance between us is not more than twenty meters, the way she rushes towards me and hugs me makes me want to just engulf her hard in my protective arms and never let her go. “I really want to spend some more time with you, uncle.” She confesses, peeping from my neck, looking at me with a small pout, causing me to smile at her. Seriously, she is so adorable. “Aww, Hope. Please, don’t be sad.” I coo, patting her head. As we pull apart, I clasp her face. “I promise you, I’ll visit you again.” “Really, uncle?” Her eyes sparkle with joy. “Yes, kiddo.” I nod, slightly pinching her nose. “Wow! When?” She asks, her voice laced with enthusiasm. “After your school.” “When?” “Soon, baby.” “You’re the best, uncle. I like you,” she squeals, embracing me again. I wrap my arms around her, feeling her small frame pressed against me. It’s a moment of pure warmth and connection, a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time. “I like you too, Hope,” I whisper, my voice filled with genuine emotion. She pulls away and beams up at me, her eyes shining. “Uncle, will you become my friend?” “Of course, why not?” I immediately accept her friendship proposal. Hope’s face lights up with excitement. “Yippie. We’ll have more ice cream together, won’t we?” I chuckle. “Absolutely! We’ll have many more ice creams, kiddo.” As I stand straight, Hope clasps my hand, not wanting to let go. I walk her back to her teacher, who smiles warmly at us. “Thank you for taking care of Hope.” “It was my pleasure, but you should be more careful next time. Parents trust you and leave their kids in your hand, so it’s your duty to keep them safe.” I instruct her in a stern tone because I can’t even imagine something happening to Hope. “I’ll be more careful next time.” Hope turns to me and wraps her arms around my legs. “Bye, Uncle! See you soon!” “Goodbye, Hope. Take care and be safe.” I stroke her hair. “You too.” She replies, giving me her toothy smile. Daisy’s P.O.V. I reach Hope’s school, scolding myself the entire way. How can I get so late? I step out of the cab and rush to my daughter, who stands holding her teacher’s hand with a sad pout. I’ve made her upset by making her wait for me for so long. As her eyes fall on me, they sparkle. I kneel on the floor and yank her into my arms. “Mommy is extremely sorry for making you wait so much, Hopi.” “I missed you, Mommy.” As she embraces me, tears trickle down my cheeks. As we pull apart, Hope’s eyes widen at the sight of tears in my eyes. “Mommy, why are you crying?” “Mommy is so sorry for making you wait.” I stare at her with guilt in my eyes. “It’s okay, Mommy.” She gently wipes off my tears with her tiny hands, and a smile flashes on my face, listening to her words. “It’s not your fault. It’s traffic’s fault.” I clasp her hands and kiss them. I move my eyes to her teacher, Emily, and stand up. “Thank you for taking care of my daughter in my absence.” Before she can respond, Hope tugs at my dress, calling me. “Mommy.” As I lower my gaze to her, she continues, “I got good company when you weren’t here.” “I know, Hope, your teacher’s company is great—” “Mommy, I’m not talking about my teacher.” She slightly slaps her head, causing my brows to narrow in confusion. “Then whom?” “I’ll tell you everything. First, let me get into the car. I’m sweating. It’s so hot.” She waves her hand, causing me to smile. Only she knows how to steal my heart with her adorable antics. “Okay, let’s go, my cutie.” I stand up and carry her in my arms. “Thank you once again, Miss Emily.” “Anytime, Miss Daisy.” She shifts her gaze to Hope. “Take care, Hope. See you tomorrow.” “Ta-ta, teacher.” Hope waves at her, and then I led her to the car. *** As we make our way back home, sitting in the car backseat, Hope exclaims, “Mommy, you know what happened today with your Hopi?” “What happened, baby?” I ask, tucking her blonde locks behind her ears. “While I was waiting with my teacher for you, I saw an ice-cream van,” she begins, her voice filled with anticipation. She licks her lips, imagining the delicious taste of ice cream. “I couldn’t resist. My legs carried me towards the ice-cream van, and my teacher didn’t notice. But when I was crossing the road, a car came rushing towards me, but...” My heart skips a beat as I listen to her words. A car was about to hit her. Shit. Now I regret getting late. How can I be so careless? “Are you okay, baby?” I ask, my voice filled with concern, caressing her hair and scanning her body to ensure she was unharmed. “Oh, Mommy, I’m okay because a tall uncle saved me.” She reassures me, and I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful for the stranger who protected my precious baby. “And guess what? He even bought me my favourite ice cream,” she adds, her face lighting up at the memory. “You know, his favourite flavour is chocolate, just like mine. He’s a really good and sweet uncle. I really like him.” I smile, overwhelmed with gratitude to the stranger for protecting my daughter. “Yes, he truly is a wonderful uncle. He saved you, my baby.” I reply, holding her close on my lap and planting a soft kiss on her head. And I want to meet the person who saved Hope and thank him.Hope bounces on the bed, squealing with excitement. “Yippie! Tomorrow is my holiday!”After coming back to school, I changed her clothes. We had our lunch together, and then I put her on the bed so that she could take a small nap.Just a few minutes ago, she woke up, and I was telling her to get up and do her homework, but she was saying she was feeling lazy. However, all her laziness dissipated into thin air as soon as I told her that tomorrow was her day off.She is a tiny drama queen.“Be careful, Hopi. You might fall.” I caution her, glancing up from the laptop while sitting on the sofa.She exclaims, “Mommy, I’m so happy!Tomorrow, I get to be with you the entire day.”“Aww, same here, baby. Even I’m happy that we are going to spend the entire day together.” I tell her, glancing at her with a smile before again started working on my laptop.“Mommy.” I look at my left when I feel Hope tapping on my thighs.When did she come here? God, I wish I could have her energy.“Yes, baby,” I
Hope’s P.O.V.“Please, Mommy’s friend, take me to the park. Pretty please.” I bat my eyelashes at Mommy’s friend. I want to go to the park because I’m getting bored. When my mommy is not at home, I don't like to stay here.“No, Hope. You’re very naughty. Last time, you made me run after you so much. When I asked you to go home, you lay on the ground, saying that you wanted to play more. Gosh, I had to drag you. I won’t take you.”She is complaining about me—with me only. Huh! But I need to make her agree. Think something, Hope. Think something.Idea!“I’m sorry, Mommy’s friend. I will not repeat my mistake. Please forgive me.” I hold my ears, making an innocent face. She stares at me with raised eyebrows suspiciously.Just take me, and I’ll show you how sorry Hope is. Hehe. I’m mentally giggling. I know it always works on big people when small people apologise.“Aww, don’t say sorry, my baby. Fine, we will go. But promise me you won’t do anything naughty.” She picks me up in her arms,
Hope’s P.O.V.As Uncle leaves, Mommy’s friend returns from the washroom. She sits down in front of me and apologises for taking so long.“It’s okay,” I reassure her, smiling. “I had good company while you were gone.”She looks at me with curiosity. “Whose company?”“My uncle,” I tell her, my voice filled with excitement. “He went to finish his work, but when he comes back, I’ll introduce you to him. He’s my best friend now!”“When did you meet your uncle?” She asks, narrowing her brows at me warily.“It happened yesterday,” I begin with a sparkle in my eyes. “Uncle saved me from a car that almost hit me, and then he bought me an ice cream.” I lick my lips, imagining yummy ice cream before continuing, “He’s really nice. You know we had so much fun together. He always listens to Hope.”She smiles. “It sounds like you two have a great bond.”“We do.” I nod, beaming.As we chat, I eagerly wait for Uncle to return. I can’t wait to spend more time with him.As I see Uncle walking, wearing a
Daisy’s P.O.V.After dropping Hope off at school, I come to the cafe I usually visit when she’s at school. I like to spend my time here when I’m not feeling alright. The owner, Eva, is a sweetheart. She is a lady around my mother’s age and treats me like her daughter. Although her husband and daughter died in a car accident, I have never seen her cry for them. She always talks about them with a smile on her face. She is the kind of woman whose presence is enough to lift your spirits.I met her shortly after I moved to Manhattan. She helped me a lot during my pregnancy, or I should say, she took care of me.Manhattan has been quite lucky for me. First, I met Ella at my job, then Eva, and then received the good news that I was carrying a baby. Now I pray this place stays lucky for me forever.I’m seriously not ready to face my dreadful past, Luke.As I settle in the corner seat and engross myself in writing, keeping all my problems aside, Eva’s sweet voice catches my attention. “Daisy,
Daisy’s P.O.V.I reach Hope’s school, praying the entire way that Hope’s uncle shouldn’t be Luke. I borrowed my aunt’s car because I couldn’t book a cab.As I park the car and look towards the entrance, I feel like someone has squeezed my heart and taken all the breath from my lungs.It’s Luke. Hope’s uncle is my ex-husband, the man I devoted myself to, who ripped my soul apart.He stands holding my daughter’s hand, and I sit frozen in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, my mind spinning with countless questions.Why has he returned now? What does he want? Does he know he’s Hope’s father? How would he know? I’ll never let him find out that Hope is our daughter. I won’t let him enter and ruin the life I’ve built over these five years.What if he’s returned to snatch Hope away from me? The mere thought sends a chill down my spine, and my hand trembles in fright. The thought of losing my precious daughter is unimaginable. I can’t bear the thought of someone taking her
Daisy’s P.O.V.“Hopi baby, Mommy is sorry for shouting at you. Mommy was irritated because of some work. Please have lunch.” I’ve been mollifying Hope for a few minutes, but she isn’t ready to listen to me. She’s still upset with me, and I can’t blame her. I should have controlled my temper, especially in front of her.She sits on the bed, arms folded across her chest, her face turned away from me. Her lunch sits untouched in front of her. It breaks my heart to see her like this.“Okay, don’t talk to Mommy.” I pick up the sandwich and bring it closer to her mouth. “At least have lunch. You’re Mommy’s good girl, right?”“No, Mommy.” She pushes my hand away. “Today, Hopi won’t listen to you. You shout at your Hopi. I’m super duper angry.”“I must do something.” Sighing, I murmur before coming to the kitchen to prepare her favourite chocolate shake.***I return to the room. “Who wants a yummy hot chocolate shake?” Hearing my words, Hope immediately looks at the glass in my hand with spa
Luke’s P.O.V.“I’m sorry, Mr. Anderson, but I can’t just hand out personal information like that,” the dean of Hope’s school says, denying my request to give Daisy’s address. I clench my jaw, sitting across from her. How dare she deny me access to my daughter?However, if she can’t give me the address, I have my way. I’m the billionaire Luke Anderson, and I’m very well aware of how to obtain information.I pull out a chequebook and lay it on the desk in front of her. “I want to offer a donation to the school for this information.” A smirk spreads across my face as her eyes glint with greed.“You’ll get the address, Mr. Anderson.”***I step out of the school with a smile on my face because finally, I’ll meet my little angel.It’s been three days since I last met my daughter and my ex-wife, Daisy. I’m certain Daisy lied to me that day. I can feel it—Hope is my daughter. The connection I feel with her is undeniable.I can’t believe I’m a father.This truth made me realise I was so wrong
Daisy’s P.O.V.“Daisy, I don’t want to snatch Hope from you,” Luke whispers, staring directly into my eyes. I can see the honesty in his eyes, but I don’t believe him anymore.He’s a monster.In fury, I didn’t realise how close I had come to him. I stand, grabbing his collar, our faces just inches apart. I can feel his warm breath touching my skin, sending chills down my spine. His blue oceanic eyes bore into my grey ones. I can’t deny how much I missed looking into them. I feel a sudden urge to kiss his thin lips.What the hell am I thinking? I can’t get physically attracted to him again. Control yourself, Daisy. Just control yourself.I pull myself away from him, releasing his collar.“Luke, just speak up. What do you want from me after all these years?” I question, staring at him with hatred in my eyes.“Daisy, I want to make amends,” he begins, his eyes filled with regret. “I want to take responsibility for our daughter. Please give me a chance to explain myself.”Our daughter? Re