Forgive Me, My Love

Chapter 7: The Park Meeting

Saturday. 2 PM. The park.

Aria arrived 30 minutes early. With her was her assistant, and a nanny. Supervised, like she said.

Emma was playing on the swings. She looked so small.

"Is he coming?" Emma asked.

Aria didn't answer.

Then she saw him.

Damian walked in wearing jeans and a simple shirt. No bodyguards. No suit. He looked... human.

He stopped 10 feet away from them.

"Hi," Damian said softly.

Emma turned around. She stared at him.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Emma whispered, "You're the man from mommy's picture."

Damian's eyes watered. He crouched down. "Yeah. I'm... I'm your dad."

Emma looked at Aria. "Is it true, mommy?"

Aria's throat was tight. She nodded once.

Damian smiled sadly. "Can I... can I push you on the swing?"

Emma looked at Aria again. Aria nodded.

And just like that, Damian pushed his daughter on the swing for the first time in 3 years.

Aria watched from the bench. And her heart shattered into a million pieces.

And just like that, Damian pushed his daughter on the swing for the first time in 3 years.

Emma laughed. A small, shy laugh. But it was the most beautiful sound Damian had ever heard.

"Higher, daddy," Emma said.

Damian froze. Daddy. She called him daddy.

He pushed harder, and Emma giggled.

Aria watched from the bench. Her heart was breaking. This was what Emma missed. A father.

After 20 minutes, Aria stood up. "That's enough."

Damian stopped pushing. He looked at Aria. "Can we... can we do this again?"

Aria didn't answer. She walked to Emma and carried her. "Say goodbye, anak."

Emma waved at Damian. "Bye, daddy."

Those two words hit Damian like a truck.

As Aria walked away with Emma, Damian stood there. Watching them leave.

For the first time in 3 years, he felt hope. But he also felt fear. Because he knew Aria could take this away from him again.

And he couldn't let that happen.