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,
Flashback ContinuesDaisy’s P.O.V.Luke tosses me onto the sofa, anger visible in his eyes.I shiver at the intensity of his gaze. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him like this—so cold, so scary—but this time I feel like this night is going to leave a deep scar on my heart.I pull out of my thoughts when I hear the loud sound of a flower vase breaking.“That bitch spoiled my whole fucking life, and now she came to my party with no shame.” I panic as I see him messing up the entire room in fury.“You women are all the same.” He leans over me and grabs my arms, digging his nails into my skin, causing me to shiver in fright. “Bloody gold diggers.”I can only see one thing in his eyes: wrath for women.In these past years, I always wondered why he despises women, and today I understand the reason. It’s because of Olivia. I’m sure she did something terrible to him and broke my husband so much that he lost himself and became a heartless human being. I feel like killing him for snatching a