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 ask her, keeping my laptop aside. “I’m here to tell you. No, wait. I’m here to inform you about something really important.” She places her hands on her waist, looking extremely adorable. “Okay ma’am, order me.” I hide my smile because I know she will create a whole drama if I smile at her when she’s trying to be serious. “Whatever work you have, complete it today. Hope is also going to do her homework because tomorrow we will just have fun. Okay?” She instructs me, showing her index finger while keeping her other hand on her waist. “Okay, boss.” I tap her nose, causing her to giggle. Her laughter is music to my ears. She is a precious gift from God to me. “My good Mommy.” She gives me a quick kiss on my cheeks while I do the same. Before I can ask her anything else, she runs out of the room, singing, “Tomorrow is my holiday. I’m going to complete my work today only.” God, we both eat the same food. Still, her energy level is thousands of times more than mine. Hope’s P.O.V. “Mommy, Hope can’t eat this. It’s so squashy.” I put the bananas on the table with a yucky face. I won’t eat them. Huh! Who eats raw bananas? How can anyone even like them when you can have banana pancakes? Hehe. My mouth is already watering just thinking about banana pancakes. They’re so yummy. “It’s not squashy, Hope.” Mommy glares at me. “I know you want a pancake. That’s why you’re doing this drama.” My eyes widen when I hear mommy’s words. How did she know? Oops. Now I have to do something. “What? No, Mommy.” I look at her, making an oh-so-innocent face. “Hope is not doing any drama. Trust Hope.” Smart move, hope! “I know very well what exactly you are trying to do, you little girl.” Mommy comments, taking a sip of her coffee, while I just stare at her with widened eyes. “Time to play the second card, Hope,” I murmur under my breath and immediately look at my mommy with my cutest pout. “Fine, I will give you another one. Every banana can’t be squashy, right?” She asks, smirking at me, startling me. How can I even underestimate my smart mommy? “No, Mommy, every banana is squashy. Trust your baby, Hopi.” I bat my eyelashes at her. I see Mommy parting her lips to say something, but I immediately cut her off. “And it’s very bad manners to waste food, but I can’t eat squashy bananas. So, do one thing, Mommy, make a banana pancake. That way, we will not waste the bananas.” I finish my sentence with my perfect toothy smile, which I know mommy can’t resist. Hehe. Mommy’s hope is so smart. “Yeah, right? Naughty girl.” Mommy smiles, flicking my nose and making me giggle before going to the kitchen to make the Yummy Tommy pancakes. “Woah... Yummy Tommy Pancakes come soon. Hopi is waiting.” I sing while colouring my sketchbook. *** At night also, I jump on the bed in excitement because tomorrow is my holiday. I snuggle into the cosy bed, feeling tired after all the jumping around. “I’m so tired now, Mommy,” I utter in my cutest voice, and Mommy comes over, holding a glass of water for me. “Why did you jump so much?” Mommy asks, sounding a little concerned. “Now you’re tired, baby.” I explain, “But Mommy, I was jumping because I was soooo happy.” “Here you go, my little princess.” She holds the glass to me as she sits beside me. I get up, take a few sips of water, and hand the glass back to her. “Now sleep, Mommy’s baby.” She instructs, caressing my long, silky blonde hair. “No, Mommy. Today, I will sleep late because tomorrow is a holiday.” I exclaim excitedly, jumping on the bed once again. “Oh God, where do you get so much energy?” Mommy mutters in disbelief, causing me to giggle. “Mommy, you should also jump with me. You’ll enjoy it a lot.” I suggest, clapping my hands between jumps. “No, sweetheart, you enjoy yourself.” “Please, Mommy.” I plead, giving her my best puppy-dog look, and mommy can’t resist my request. We both jump on the bed together, holding hands and laughing crazily. It is so much fun! After a while, we both settle back on the bed. My small body rests on mommy’s body as she gently caresses my hair with pure affection. “I love you, Mommy.” I kiss her on the lips, holding her face with my hands. “Oh, my sweetie, Mommy loves you even more than all the stars in the sky,” Mommy replies, showering my face with kisses. We lay there cuddled up. As she continues to stroke my hair gently, I drift off to sleep while listening to the soothing sound of her heartbeat. *** The Next Morning I feel upset when mommy tells me she has to go out for work and can’t take me along. I want to stay with her the entire day. “Mommy, take me with you. I won’t disturb you. Look, I’ll put my finger on my lips like this,” I try to convince her, putting my finger on my lips and trying to melt her heart with my cuteness. I feel like crying when she denies it, shaking her head. “Baby, I’ll call my friend to take care of you. You’ll enjoy spending time with her.” She tries to make me understand, but I’m just a kid. Why would I understand? I want to spend my holiday with my mommy, not her friend. That’s it. “But Mommy, today is our day, just you and me.” I make a sad pout, and she kisses my pout, trying to make me happy. However, I’m still very, very upset. “Aww, my baby! Mommy is sorry.” She holds her ears, melting my heart in seconds, but I still want to spend time with her. Then an idea pops into my mind to stop her from going today, and I hide my smile and agree, “Okay, Mommy.” “You can watch your favourite Disney movie. I’ll come back after taking a bath,” she tells me, and I start planning in my tiny mind. “Okay, Mommy,” I reply as she switches on the TV for me. When she leaves the room, I immediately get out of the bed and tiptoe towards her cupboard so she won’t notice what Hope is planning. First, I take out a huge bag and start putting all of Momma’s footwear from the closet into the bag, one by one. “Yippee, it’s done.” I clap my hands in happiness after putting all of her footwear in the bag. “Now, where should I hide this bag?” I ponder, putting my finger on my chin. “Yes, I’ll hide it in my closet!” I jump up when I get the idea. I try to pick up the bag, but it’s so heavy. “Mommy, it’s too heavy. How will I hide it?” I cry while struggling to carry the bag full of Momma’s footwear. With all my energy, I drag the bag towards my closet and hide it inside. “Oh, I got tired,” I murmur, wiping the imaginary sweat from my forehead. “Hope, you’re so hardworking.” I praise myself and giggle, putting my hand over my mouth. I run back to my bed, sit down, and prepare to watch the movie. “Mommy is back!” Mommy squeals after coming out of the washroom and hugs me. I wrap my arms around her with a mischievous smile. “Now, Mommy has to get ready.” She pecks my forehead before going to get ready. I run after her. “Hope also wants to get ready with you.” I really love doing my makeup. “Okay, princess.” She picks me up and places me on the dressing stool in front of the mirror. As she does her makeup, standing behind me, I try to copy her by applying lipstick. “My cute princess.” She pulls my cheeks from behind, and I just smile. I pick up the blusher and put it on my cheeks while grinning. Mommy opens her cupboard to wear her shoes, and I control my laughter, watching this from the mirror. She stares at the empty cupboard in shock and then looks back at me. I immediately start doing my makeup, applying blusher to my cheeks. “Hope, where did you hide my footwear?” She shoots me a glare, rushing towards me. Her eyes widen in shock, seeing my red cheeks. “Hope, why did you apply so much of blush on your face?” She shouts, snatching the blusher from my hand. “Am I not looking cute, Mommy?” I ask, giggling. “You’re looking like a monkey, Hopi” I bat my eyelashes, placing my finger on my cheek. “Your cutie Monkey.” “Hopi, stop distracting me. Tell me, where did you keep my footwear?” “What are you talking about? Mommy, I didn’t hide them. I was just watching my favourite movie.” I answer, trying to act smart. “Hopi, Mommy knows you have done this. You can’t lie. Tell me where you hid them, or you won’t get any toys for the entire month,” she warns me, causing my eyes to widen. I become super duper scared. What? No toys for an entire month? How will I survive? I have to tell her the truth. “Mommy, I just wanted you to stay with me at home,” I tell her in a dejected tone, looking down and playing with my hands. “I’ll try to come back super soon to my Hopi! Now tell me where you hid them,” she requests in an extra sweet voice, melting my poor heart. “I hid them in my closet. It was so heavy, but I put all my energy into it. See, Mommy, your Hope is so strong.” I show off my little muscles as Momma retrieves her footwear from the huge bag. “Yeah, you’re very strong and getting naughtier day by day.” She puts on her heels after sitting on the stool. “Yes, I’m your naughty princess.” I giggle. “My baby.” She comes and picks me up in her arms, and I hide my face in her chest. I love being in her arms. “I’ll miss you, Mommy.” I pout as she makes me sit on the stool and cleans my red cheeks with wet wipes. “I’ll miss you too, princess, but I promise I’ll be back soon. The work is important for Mommy.” She explains to me, cleaning my face. “All the best for your work, Mommy.” I show her my little thumb. “Thank you, Hopi.” She clasps my face and kisses my forehead.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
Daisy’s P.O.V.At night, I’m lying in bed, hugging Hope tightly in my arms as the soothing sound of her soft snores fills the room.“You and Hope are my destination, and I’m ready to take any path that leads me to you both.”Luke’s words keep ringing in my head, and I can’t fall asleep. My heart urges me to trust him.“Daisy, don’t forget what he has done to you in the past. He treated you with so much cruelty, and you endured it without complaints. Don’t become a fool again.”As a voice in my head reminds me of his cruelty, memories of how he used to treat me five years ago replay in my mind like a movie.Flashback Five Years Ago, FloridaI stand in the grand ballroom of a lavish mansion, dressed in a breathtaking gown with a cut from the waist. It is the half-year wedding anniversary of billionaire Luke Anderson and me.He stands at the centre of attention as he raises his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to the love of my life, my dear wife,” he said,