Daddy Doesn't Know Me

The rain tapped at the windows of Hart Bakery, where the scent of damp earth mingled with the aroma of fresh bread. Inside, laughter rang out as "Mommy! Mommy!" A small boy with bright blue eyes wiggled between the tables in pursuit of a chocolate cupcake, one in each hand. His identical grin was matched by the little girl chasing after him. "Ethan!" Ariana Hart chuckled, trying desperately to keep her giggles at bay. "You can't run around the bakery!" "But Emma is chasing me!" he whined. Emma crossed her tiny arms over her chest and puffed out her cheeks dramatically. "He stole my cupcake!" "I did not! You said I could have one bite." "You took five." The customers began clapping as Ariana knelt in front of her twins, shaking her head. At twenty-seven, she was all too familiar with the fact that peace and quiet never lasted for long with these two. "Alright, alright," she sighed. "There's another cupcake for both of you." The twins forgot all about the argument as they skipped over to the display counter, their excitement bubbling with every step. As they happily nibbled on the sugary treat, Ariana watched their tiny faces with a fond smile that slowly faded into a wistful sigh. This was her world. Her entire life revolved around these two beautiful children. All the sleepless nights and endless tears had been worth it just to see them giggle and play, just like this. "Mommy?" Emma asked suddenly. "Our school friends all have daddies." A chill ran down Ariana's spine as the laughter in the bakery suddenly turned silent as snowfall. Ethan looked up at her with his big blue eyes, confusion plastered all over his angelic face. "Teacher asked us to draw our family." He proudly displayed a crumpled piece of paper with a picture of his family drawn on it. "But where does Daddy live?" Ariana's grip tightened around the edge of the counter as her heart constricted painfully in her chest. She knew this moment would come, but knowing it was coming didn't make it any easier. She had rehearsed a million responses to this very question, but now she couldn't find the strength to say any of them. Slowly, she forced a smile and reached out to ruffle Ethan's hair. "Daddy... doesn't know you yet." The twins gasped in shock. "He doesn't?" Ethan asked. "No." "Did he forget?" Ariana's smile faltered. She lowered her gaze so that her bangs shadowed her eyes. "He never knew." Emma reached out and tugged at her mom's sleeve. "Is he going to know?" Ariana gently stroked Emma's curly hair, her smile turning sad. "I don't know." Five years ago, she was certain that Damien Blackwood would change his ways for her. That he would fight for her, for Ethan, and for Emma. But he hadn't known that she was carrying his child for the past five years and, instead, he vanished into thin air. Not a single call. Not a single message. So, she left him. She buried her heart in the city and built her own life with her own hands. She moved on with her life, without him. "Miss Hart," the bell above the door jingled as the deliveryman stepped inside the bakery. "You have a visitor." "Thank you," Ariana said, her smile a little sad. "Can you give me a few minutes? I'm busy." "Of course," he nodded and turned around, but he paused after a few seconds. "Actually, the visitor left you this," he handed her a black envelope with silver wax seals. The Blackwood Group's insignia was embossed on the front. Ariana's fingers trembled as she carefully broke the wax seal, opening the envelope. «Dear Miss Ariana Hart,» The Blackwood Group is pleased to invite you to the National Artisan Business Partnership Summit that will be held next Friday. Selected business owners will be able to compete for an exclusive nationwide investment. Sincerely, Damien Blackwood Chief Executive Officer.» Ariana froze as the words sank in. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest as her pulse throbbed in her ears. Five long years... It had been five years since she last heard his name, and she had finally managed to forget him. To put him and their miserable relationship behind her. But now, it seemed that fate had other plans. "Mommy?" Ethan gently nudged her. "Why are you crying?" Ariana jumped in surprise and hastily wiped her tears, forcing a smile. "It's nothing." But deep down, she knew that it was most definitely not nothing. The past she had tried so hard to escape was haunting her again, and this time, it wasn't alone.