Taken for granted, Now he regrets

Chapter 1 “Mommy! When will Daddy come back?” Ava asked, and Roselle moved closer to her, ruffling her hair. “Sweetheart, Daddy will be back soon. I bet he's on his way already” Roselle wasn't sure, but she tried to assure her daughter. It's Ava's birthday. Her daddy had promised to be back from work early so they could celebrate together. But two hours had passed and he hadn't arrived yet. Roselle's heart clenched as she looked around the table. The cake was placed at the center, the candles waiting to be lit. Ava's favorite fruit wine was placed beside it, and her favorite French pasta had also been served. Roselle anticipated Chris's arrival but after thirty more minutes, she picked her phone to text him. “Honey, when are you coming back? Our daughter is waiting” The message was delivered immediately, but Chris didn't check it. Roselle called him, but the dial tone only disturbed the silence of the house for a brief moment. Roselle's hand which held her phone dropped to her thigh hopelessly and she darted her gaze to her daughter. Ava rested her head on the chair armrest, her lips formed into a pout. The anchor's voice from the television in the sitting room had been echoing in the background for a while, but when a name was mentioned, it caught Roselle's attention. “Clara.” The anchor had mentioned Clara. Roselle turned her face towards the television, giving the news more attention. “Clara Hensley returns to New York after years of being away. A luxurious welcome party is being thrown for her in Leeds hotel” Roselle's lips trembled as she watched the news and watched the sequel of the event from the screen. Clara Hensley was Chris's first love. That explains the reason why he was not back yet to celebrate Ava's birthday with them. Everything finally made sense to Roselle. It was their daughter's five-year old birthday, but it was also the night his first love returned to the country. “Mommy, are you okay?” Ava noticed how Roselle's face had changed, how her lips trembled, and how her fingers curled around the phone. Roselle turned to her and smiled widely, pinching her face playfully. “Of course,” she nodded. “Mommy is fine” “You know what, Ava?” Roselle adjusted herself on the chair, pulling Ava's chair closer to the table. “Let's blow out your candles. Let's celebrate” Roselle smiled. Ava frowned. “What about Daddy?” Tears rushed to Roselle's eyes, but she did her best to keep the smile on her face. “Tonight, let's celebrate without Daddy. Okay, sweetie?” Ava nodded. Roselle lit the candles, and sang a birthday song for Ava. Her daughter looked happy, and that was enough. But in her heart, she was hurting. She was pained that Chris had chosen not to be with them that night. “Happy birthday, baby” Roselle kissed her forehead. “Now make a wish and blow out the candles” Ava giggled. She crossed her fingers and rested them on her chin, closing her eyes as she whispered. “I wish Daddy would spend more time with Mommy and I” Roselle gasped but forced herself to close her lips immediately. A tear slid down her eyes before she could stop it and not wanting to ruin Ava's night, she quickly wiped it off. Ava had been noticing. Her five-year old daughter noticed. Chris and Roselle had attended college together, and Roselle had been crushing on him since then. Six years ago, she had helped him survive a car accident that almost killed him. A car had knocked him down the highway and while everyone watched, too scared to go close to him, too shocked to call an ambulance, Roselle recognized him and had helped save his life. She called the ambulance with shaky hands, applied CPR while desperately praying he would be fine and stayed with him for weeks until he woke up. Roselle confessed her feelings to him while he recovered, but she didn't expect Christopher to knock on her door the next week, asking her to marry him. Back then, she hadn't realized he wanted to get married because he was grateful, not because he also had feelings for her. “Mommy! Let's cut the cake!” Ava's cheerful voice snapped her back to the room. She sliced the cake and handed a part to Ava, the both of them giggling as she designed Ava's face with the icing sugar. Two hours later, Ava was already asleep on the chair. Roselle had wanted to carry her to her room, but she insisted on staying till her Daddy got back. It was 11pm, but Chris hadn't returned any of Roselle's calls. He walked in thirty minutes later, loosening his tie as he entered. Roselle didn't look at him, she just crossed her arms as she stared at the leftover meal on the table. “You are late” Chris sighed deeply. “I'm sorry, Roselle. I really am” “Look. I didn't expect Clara to come back tonight. And, she really wanted me to attend the welcome—” Chris was trying to explain but Roselle cut him off. She didn't argue. She didn't find his excuse ridiculous. She just said; “It's fine. I know she's important” Roselle didn't want to have another word with Chris, so she scooped Ava up into her arms. Before she could walk to the stairs, Ava opened her eyes slowly, surprised to see her Daddy is back. “Daddy….” She called, and Roselle had no choice but to let her down. Chris bent down to her height level and hugged her. “Hey sweetie” “You said you'd come back home early, Daddy” Ava pouted. Chris brushed a strand of hair to the back of her ear. “Forgive me sweetheart, Daddy is so sorry” “It's fine.” Ava said. “I know you are busy” “But Daddy…..” Ava paused. “Will you come to my school Parent-child day this weekend? I really want you to come” “I will, sweetie. To make up for coming late tonight” Chris smiled widely. “I promise” A promise. But has he ever kept any of the promises he made to their daughter?