CHAPTER ELEVEN
1419 Words
The cab driver pulled into the school parking lot. Sophie had been in such high spirits after the phone call about her new job, but something in the air felt… off. A strange tension settled in her stomach as she stepped out of the car and made her way toward the school gate.
As she approached, raised voices reached her ears.
“Please, just let me see Lily. I’m her father.”
Sophie’s heart nearly stopped. She knew that voice.
Her pace quickened, and as she reached the gate, she saw him—Adam. He was standing there, wearing a dark jacket, his expression desperate as he pleaded with the security guard.
The guard, arms crossed, shook his head. “Sir, we can’t let anyone in without the mother’s permission.”
Adam ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “I just want to see my daughter. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
Sophie inhaled sharply, steadying herself before stepping forward. “What do you think you’re doing here, Adam?”
His eyes snapped to her, relief flashing across his face. “Sophie. Finally.” He took a step closer. “I just want to see Lily. That’s all.”
Sophie’s jaw tightened. “You don’t get to just show up at her school like this.”
Adam exhaled, shaking his head. “She’s my daughter too, Sophie. I have a right.”
“You lost that right a long time ago.”
The security guard looked between them, sensing the tension. “Ma’am, do you want us to escort him off the premises?”
Sophie’s fingers curled into fists. She knew Adam wouldn’t leave easily.
Sophie was still speaking when she heard the sound of small footsteps running toward them.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Her breath caught in her throat as Lily came dashing out of the school, her lunch pack swinging at her side. Without hesitation, she ran straight into Adam’s arms.
Adam bent down, scooping her up effortlessly. “My princess!” he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Sophie stood frozen, the scene unfolding before her making her chest tighten.
Lily wrapped her arms around Adam’s neck. “I miss you, Daddy!”
“I miss you too, my princess.” Adam kissed the top of her head, holding her close.
Then, without skipping a beat, he asked, “Do you want to go out with me?”
Lily’s eyes sparkled. “Yay!” she cheered, clapping her hands.
Sophie’s lips parted, but no words came out. Lily hadn’t even glanced in her direction. It was as if she wasn’t even there.
Adam smiled at his daughter. “So, tell me, how was school today?”
Lily giggled, completely engrossed in the moment. “It was fun! But I missed you, Daddy.”
Adam ran a hand through her hair. “I missed you too, sweetheart. I’ll take you home myself today, okay?”
Sophie’s heart clenched. She had been standing there the whole time, but Lily hadn’t acknowledged her once. The way she clung to Adam, the way she looked at him like he was her whole world—it left Sophie feeling invisible.
Then Lily turned her head slightly. “Mommy, can Daddy take me home?”
Sophie snapped out of her daze. She wasn’t going to let her emotions get in the way of what was best for her daughter. Adam was still Lily’s father, and no matter what had happened between them, she wouldn’t use Lily as a weapon.
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m sure. Why not?”
Lily beamed.
Adam flagged down a car, and the three of them got in. The ride was mostly silent, with Lily happily chatting with her father while Sophie stared out of the window, lost in thought.
Halfway home, Sophie straightened. “That’s enough. I’ll handle it from here.”
Adam pulled the car over. He stepped out first, then turned to Lily. “Prepare yourself, princess. I’ll be taking you out this weekend.”
Lily clapped her hands excitedly. “Yay! Bye, Daddy!”
Adam waved. “Bye, sweetheart.” His gaze briefly met Sophie’s. “Take care.”
Sophie nodded. “Alright.”
She took Lily’s hand, and they stepped out of the car. As they walked toward the house, Lily turned to her. “Mommy, we’re going to Grandma’s house, right?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, we are.”
With that, they stepped inside, but Sophie couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling lingering in her chest.
The dining table was set, the warm aroma of home-cooked food filling the room. Sophie sat across from her mother, while Daniel sat beside Lily, helping her cut her food into smaller bites. The atmosphere was calm—too calm—until Daniel spoke.
“So, how did you handle the situation with Adam at Lily’s school?”
Sophie’s hand tightened around her fork. She shot him a warning look, eyes shifting toward Lily, who was quietly eating her mashed potatoes.
Daniel got the message. “Right. Not now.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, Lily, would you like to go outside and listen to some moonlight stories with your friends?”
Lily shook her head immediately. “No, I want to sleep.”
Sophie exhaled. “Alright then. Finish up your meal, and I’ll take you to bed.”
Lily quickly ate the last few bites of her food, then pushed her plate away. Sophie stood, taking her daughter’s hand and leading her to her bedroom.
“Mommy, will Daddy really take me out this weekend?” Lily asked sleepily as she climbed into bed.
Sophie pulled the covers up to her chin and kissed her forehead. “Yes, sweetheart. Now close your eyes and rest.”
Lily yawned, nodding, and within minutes, her breathing steadied. Sophie lingered for a moment, brushing back a stray curl from Lily’s forehead before slipping out of the room.
When she returned to the dining table, Daniel was already leaning forward, elbows on the table. “Alright, now talk.”
Sophie let out a heavy breath and dropped into her chair. “Mom, I’m losing it.”
Their mother reached over, placing a warm hand over Sophie’s. “My daughter, you have to be strong. I understand these things.”
Daniel scoffed. “Understand? Mom, do you understand what it’s like to stand there and watch your own child run into the arms of the man who left you broken?”
Sophie’s head snapped toward him. “Daniel—”
“No, Sophie, let’s be real here. That guy just waltzes back into town, and suddenly, Lily adores him like he never disappeared?” His voice carried a hint of frustration. “And you just let him take her home?”
Sophie’s fingers curled into fists. “What was I supposed to do? Snatch her away? Tell her she can’t see her father? That’s not who I am, Daniel.”
Their mother sighed, shaking her head. “She’s right. No matter what Adam has done, he is still Lily’s father. And whether we like it or not, Lily loves him.”
Daniel let out a low breath. “I just don’t want her getting hurt, Soph.”
Sophie’s voice softened. “Neither do I. But Lily is too young to understand the past. To her, he’s just Daddy. And the last thing I want is to be the villain in her eyes.”
Their mother gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re not the villain. You’re her mother. And right now, you need to focus on what’s best for both of you.”
Daniel leaned back, rubbing his face. “So, what now? Are you going to let him take her out? What if he starts coming around more often?”
Sophie swallowed hard. “I don’t know, Daniel. But I do know one thing—Adam isn’t going to just walk back into our lives like nothing happened.”
Her mother studied her for a moment before nodding. “Then make sure you set the rules. Be clear about your boundaries.”
Sophie exhaled. “Yeah… I need to.”
A silence settled over them, filled with unspoken fears and lingering doubts.
Daniel sighed. “I still don’t trust him.”
Sophie offered him a tired smile. “Neither do I.”
And with that, dinner continued, but the weight of the conversation lingered long after the plates were empty.
- Writer
