DASHIELLWhen I left my office to meet my favourite kids in the world, I thought nothing would happen. I just wanted to go over to meet River. But most importantly, I wanted to see Willow. I'd heard so much about her from the time I spent with River, and I was eager to meet her. Who would have thought I would end up being paired with them as their father? I didn't want to be dragged into it at first, afraid I was overstepping, but when I saw the sad expression on River's face as the other parents read a passage for their children, I stepped onto the stage to act as their father. Though the kids didn't seem that thrilled to see me, they were glad I was there to help. Glaring at the blank paper, I tried to rack my brain on what to draw, knowing I wasn't that good with my hands. If only there was a way to get through this without having to draw, I would have taken it. But that was the least of my problems. As I watched Willow, I couldn't help but notice how much she looked like me. H
NOVA“Uhm… I greatly appreciate your help.” I smiled at him, praying he didn't realize how forced the smile was, and how much I was trembling. We had just concluded the drawing when he asked me to meet him outside. At first, I didn't want to go with him. I wanted to lie that I had something to take care of with my kids, but I knew it would only make him more suspicious. The earliest I get things out of the way, the better. It didn't seem like he knew Willow was his. If he had known, he wouldn't have calmly sat with them. Hell, he would have confronted me about it the moment I showed up. He wouldn't have waited this long to talk to me. Right? I wiped my palm on my suit jacket as I watched him, waiting for him to say something. Aside from the time he asked me to meet him outside, Dashiell hadn't said a word to me since I arrived, which was odd. I glanced around, noticing how deserted the place was. With the parents and the teachers out in the hall, there was no one in the playgrou
All the blood drained from my face. My heart skipped a beat, only for it to thump loudly in my chest. Clenching my fists, I tried to regain my breathing, but it was difficult for me. “They are my children, right?” He demanded, his voice getting harder. “You lied to me, Nova. You told me they weren't bloody mine! You made me think my babies were dead!” “And?” I folded my arms, glaring at him. “Even if they are yours, what will you do? Accuse me for keeping you from your kids? Fight legally for kids you wanted to bloody get rid of?!” I was stunned by my outburst, but I masked it. The anger I felt at the moment overshadowed my fear. “Why are you acting like you care when you don't? We bother to know how you feel about them!” I yelled at him, finally letting all my bottled emotions out. "You are a bloody hypocrite, Dashiell!" “What the hell are you talking about?” He took a step back, gulping as he watched me with narrowed eyes. “Why are you accusing me of something I didn't do? Why
After filling them in on who Mama Kaka was, I went over to sign them out, before I took them towards my car. Willow got her lollipop while they took River's drawing to paste on the wall after getting my permission. I wanted to refuse but saw how much River's eyes sparkled at their offer, which was why I let them have it. After all, I had more than enough of his paintings hanging on my wall. If I needed more, I would just ask him to draw one for me to paste on our wall, to show off to any who might visit us. “Are we using your car or mine?” Dashiell asked when we walked over to him. He drew away from his car, smiling as he glanced towards my babies, who shyly waved at him. "I will drive my kids. We will follow your car,” I said, not missing a beat. There was no use thinking about it. He looked disappointed. I could tell he wanted to be in the same car with us. However, he didn't protest about it. Nodding, he walked over to his car while I helped my kids in and buckled them up for
I stayed there for close to one hour, and by the time I left, my eyes were puffy and my throat dry. Talking became painful for me. I drove back to the house, while Dashiell returned to wherever he had in mind. He knew I needed a moment to myself, and didn't strike up any conversation with me. He just let me be. At home, I left the kids with Mara and retired to my room, so I could cry to my heart's content without being disturbed. I plopped down on the bed and closed my eyes, letting everyone wash over me. …. I took a leave from work to avoid being bombarded with questions. I looked like a zombie. My eyes were bloodshot, and the dark circles around my eyes were alarming. Having stayed up all night, thinking back to the precious time I spent with Mama Kaka, I barely had sufficient rest. I slept at the crack of dawn, but it wasn't enough to soothe my soul. After I had my bath and an ice cream, I felt good. Even though the weight of Mama Kaka's death was still there, I felt lighter.
“No.” My voice wavered a bit, but I still kept my gaze as expressionless as I could, watching him and waiting for him to haul more words at me. “You don't deserve to be in their life. You don't deserve my kids. You are not worthy of being their father!” I yelled at him. “Not worthy?” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Tell me, Nova, why are you hell-bent on keeping the kids from me? Why can't you just let me be with them? I know I wasn't the best when we were together, but that doesn't mean I haven't realized my mistakes. I'm willing to do anything you want as long as you will go back with me. I will make sure I treat you well.” “Then get out of my life.” I gestured towards the door. "You said you would do anything I asked of you, right? then leave. Forget about the kids. Forget you know who I am. Leave me alone." “You realize I can't do that. I spent five years without you and my babies. I don't want to miss any more time. Please, Nova. Give me this chance.” He joined his hands as he
“What are you going to do with him? Take him back???" Brion demanded, his gaze incredulous. “Take him back?” I scoffed, a smirk coming over my face as I stared at the picture in my hand. “I have no plans to do that, Brion. I want him to fall for me, then push him down like he did to me. I want to make him feel the pain I passed through in his hands.” I got to my feet and threw the picture on the floor. “It's time he dances to the tune of his music,” I gritted out as I stomped hard on the picture. “What if he has a trick up his sleeves? How do you propose to work against someone like him?!” Brion yelled at me. “This is dangerous, Nova. I'm not letting you do this. You are not going anywhere near that man. If he wants to fight for legal custody of the kids, I can fight him with my resources. I don't want you to get hurt because of him!” “I know what I'm doing.” I plopped down on the couch. “I have thought about this. It's the only way for me to get back at him.”This was the only t
DASHIELLI should be happy, right? Having her in my house was supposed to make me happy, but I cousin help thinking of my kids. Having them with another man who isn't me didn't sit well with me. Even though Nova told me I could visit them whenever I wanted, I felt it wasn't enough for me. I needed to be close to them, to show them how good of a father I could be, but Nova never allowed me to do that. She didn't trust me as much as I would have loved for her to do, not like I would have done the same if I were in her shoes. She didn't trust me. It would take more than being a good husband to earn her trust. It ate away at me for the first month we spent together. I was only allowed to visit them thrice, and that was with Nova. She didn't trust me to be alone with them. Tossing on the bed after trying to sleep unsuccessful, I rolled out of bed. I left my room and headed downstairs, to have a drink. Nova was in the kitchen when I came to take a can of water. She seemed to be out to do