Chapter 6: I'll Think About It
212 Words
Aria couldn't sleep that night.
Damian's words kept echoing in her head. "I want to be a father to Emma."
She looked at her sleeping daughter. Emma had Damian's eyes. There was no denying it.
"Mommy?" Emma whispered. She was half asleep.
"Yes baby?" Aria smoothed Emma's hair.
"Is daddy coming?" Emma asked.
Aria's heart broke. "Why do you ask that, anak?"
"Because the other kids have daddies," Emma said quietly. "And I saw his picture on your phone."
Aria froze. She didn't know Emma remembered that photo from 3 years ago.
The next morning, Aria made a decision.
She called her lawyer. "I want to set terms. If Damian Reyes wants to see Emma, it will be supervised. And only once."
"Are you sure, Ms. Santos?" the lawyer asked.
Aria closed her eyes. "No. But I have to try. For Emma."
Two hours later, her phone rang. Unknown number.
Aria answered. "Hello?"
Aria, it's me," Damian's voice said. He sounded nervous. "Did you... think about it?"
Aria took a deep breath. "Yes. Saturday. 2 PM. At the park. One hour. Supervised."
There was silence. Then: "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Aria hung up. Her hands were shaking.
This was either the best decision she ever made... or the worst mistake.
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