Chapter 11 — An Unexpected Visit
696 Words
Dahlia tucked the blanket gently over Iris and stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her. The soft thud of the latch barely echoed before a knock came at the front door.
Her heart jumped. It was late—too late for visitors.
She opened the door with cautious hesitation.
Alaric stood there.
“Sorry,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “I know it’s late. I just wanted to make sure everything was delivered properly.”
Dahlia blinked, still surprised to see him on her doorstep. “Everything arrived. You didn’t need to come all the way here.”
“I wanted to.” His gaze moved past her briefly, as if searching for something he didn’t name. “May I come in?”
She hesitated, then stepped aside.
He entered, eyes scanning the modest apartment. The silence hung between them until Dahlia finally asked, “You already know everything was delivered. What are you really here for?”
Alaric looked at her, his expression unreadable. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
Dahlia crossed her arms and leaned slightly against the wall, wary. “Which part?”
He stepped forward, just a little. “That not everyone has the means to impress. That you’re doing everything you can for your daughter, and still showing up to work like everyone else.”
She didn’t say anything.
“I was harsh,” he admitted. “Unfair. You were right to call me out.”
She lifted a brow. “You didn’t expect me to?”
“I did,” he said, almost too quickly. “I just didn’t expect it to hit me that hard.”
There was a pause before he continued. “I asked my assistant to send everything you’d need—not just to look the part at work, but to make things a little easier. That includes the makeup, shoes, accessories, even perfume.”
“And the teddy bear?” she asked, folding her arms tighter.
“For your daughter,” he said, softer now. “And as an apology—for yesterday. I meant it.”
Dahlia looked away. “I don’t know how to feel about any of this.”
“You don’t have to feel anything,” he replied. “Just accept it as a gesture. Not from a boss. From someone who listened.”
The way he said it made her pause. There was no condescension, no pride. Just quiet sincerity.
“Iris liked the bear,” she said, almost reluctantly.
“I’m glad.”
Dahlia gave a small nod, then sighed. “But you know… giving someone things doesn’t erase the way you made them feel.”
“I’m not trying to erase it,” he replied. “I’m trying to take responsibility for it.”
The room fell into silence again. Not uncomfortable—just thick with unspoken thoughts.
Alaric glanced toward the hallway, where Iris’s room was. “Is she asleep?”
“She is.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
Dahlia turned away, her throat tightening. “She’s all I have.”
“And yet, somehow, you’ve built a world for her,” he said gently. “Even if it’s not easy. Even if no one helps.”
Dahlia looked over her shoulder. “Why are you really saying all this?”
He hesitated. “Because I admire it.”
A beat passed.
She shook her head with a breathy laugh. “You’re full of contradictions, you know.”
“So are most people,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
She didn’t smile back. But she didn’t look away, either.
“I should go,” he said, stepping back toward the door. “You’ve had a long day.”
“Alaric,” she called out just before he reached the handle.
He looked back.
“Thank you. For the bear. For thinking of her.”
He nodded once, then left without another word, the soft click of the door marking his exit.
Dahlia stood alone in the quiet apartment, uncertain of what had just shifted—but certain that something had.
- Writer
