My Ex-wife, My Destination

Daisy’s P. O. V.

I’m working on my laptop, and beside me, Hope is sleeping, hugging her Rabi. I couldn’t sleep properly last night because of the dreadful memories of my past. Luke’s return to my life has reopened old wounds.

I was an idiot to let Luke treat me with cruelty; now I won’t let him do it again.

“Mommy.” As Hope calls me in a sleepy tone, I shift my gaze towards her. A smile spreads across my face as I see her adorably rubbing her eyes, kneeling beside me on the bed.

I place the laptop on my other side and open my arms. “Come here, my little princess.”

She smiles softly and immediately settles on my lap, telling me, “Mommy, Hopi saw a very beautiful dream.”

“What dream?” I inquire, embracing her in my warm arms.

“I saw my uncle in my dream, and I was calling him Daddy.” My face becomes pale upon hearing Hope’s words. “Mommy, will you make Uncle Hope’s Daddy?” She asks in an innocent tone, placing her hand on my face, and my chest becomes heavy with pain.

Don’t cry, Daisy. Just don’t cry in front of Hope.

“Tell me, Mommy,” she asks, and I just stare at her blankly.

I can’t sit like this. I have to gather myself together.

Taking a deep breath, I explain, “Hopi, it was just a dream. Uncle isn’t your Daddy.”

“Mommy, but Uncle is like my daddy. I like him, and he takes care of me. Please, make him my daddy. Hope won’t do anything naughty. I’ll be a good girl.” She pleads, unaware of what she is demanding from me. I can never fulfil this request of her.

“Hope, it can’t happen. Uncle will never agree to become your daddy because he lives far away. Do you want to go with him and leave your mommy alone here?” I ask, tucking her hair behind her ears.

She immediately shakes her head. “Of course not, Mommy. You’re my world. I don’t want to leave you and go with Uncle.” A weak smile spreads across my face at her innocence, and I feel a lump forming in my throat. “I just want Uncle to stay here with us.”

I wish it were that simple, but it’s not. Luke’s presence in our lives will bring nothing but destruction.

“Hopi, sometimes things don’t happen the way we want them to. Uncle has his own life, and we have ours.” I try to explain gently, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes.

“Can’t Uncle come and live with us, Mommy? Can’t we live like a happy family: Mommy, Daddy, and their Hopi?” Her hopeful gaze breaks my heart into a million pieces.

How do I explain to her that having Luke would only bring us pain? I can’t trust him. He’s behaving sweetly now, but who knows? After a few years, he might become a monster again and hurt my daughter as well. I can’t even imagine seeing my Hope in pain.

“We are still a happy family, Hope. Aren’t you happy with Mommy?” I ask, gently grabbing her chin.

“Mommy, you’re not understanding me. Hopi is so happy with you. But I want Daddy as well. Call Uncle, I’ll ask him to become my Daddy-”

I immediately cut her off. “No. You can’t call him.”

“Why?” she pouts at me sadly.

“Be-because he…” I stammer, thinking of an excuse. “He must be sleeping right now. Hopi, you know Mommy was planning to take you to Luna Park today where there will be so many rides.” I say, trying to distract her.

Her eyes sparkle with delight, and she starts jumping on the bed, forgetting about her dream. “Wow! Hopi will go to the park with Mommy.” She squeals, clapping her hands and bouncing on the bed in excitement.

I sigh with relief because my plan succeeded in distracting her.

However, now I have to check the tickets online. I know my budget is tight, but I want to distract Hope’s mind from Luke anyhow.

I open my laptop again and start searching for tickets to Luna Park. Hope sits beside me, eagerly watching as I scroll through the options.

“Mommy, which ride will we go on first?” she asks, her blue eyes shining with excitement.

“We’ll decide when we get there, princess,” I reply with a smile.

After finding the best deal on tickets, I quickly purchase them and close my laptop.

“Okay, Hopi, we’re all set for our fun day at Luna Park,” I announce, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Hope lets out a squeal of joy and throws her arms around me in a tight hug. “Thank you, Mommy! Hopi loves you so much.”

***

Luke’s P. O. V.

I follow Daisy’s cab to Luna Park. Daisy asked me never to show my face to her, and I’ll respect that, but I can’t keep myself away from them. So early this morning, I reached her building to catch a glimpse of them.

Even if I can’t stay with them, I can at least watch them from afar and protect them. I’m not backing off from my responsibilities. Whether Daisy wants it or not, I’ll take care of my family until my last breath. Even if she never forgives me, I’ll always be there for Hope, my daughter, no matter what.

Wearing a cap and sunglasses, I enter the park. When the chauffeur parked my car, I called my secretary to book a ticket immediately.

As Daisy and Hope explore the park, I follow them sneakily. There is a constant smile on Hope’s face, her eyes shining with amazement as she sees the rides. As she laughs, talking to Daisy, I feel an urge to rush to her and hug her tightly, but I resist.

Daisy looks beautiful as ever in a lavender top and white skirt. Her loosely braided golden hair rests on one side of her shoulder. My hand aches to open it and run my fingers through it. Five years ago, she was mine, was in love with me, and I had a chance to spend time with her and shower my love on her. Now that she isn’t mine anymore, I regret my decision and actions.

I smile as I watch Hope laughing and squealing on the carousel ride.

“Mommy, hi…” She waves at Daisy as she swings back and forth, sitting on one of the decorated horses. Daisy laughs, waving back at her. I capture this precious moment on my phone. I hope that one day, I can explore the park with them, rather than just watching them.

As Daisy stands in the corner, talking on the phone, Hope stands up on the swing. My eyes widen in horror, seeing Hope. She is about to fall from the horse. I rush toward her without wasting a second and pull her into my arms just in time. I close my eyes and take a deep breath of relief, hugging Hope tightly.

Thank God! I protected her just in time.

I return to reality as Daisy pulls Hope away from me and holds her in her arms, concern visible on every inch of her face.

“My baby, are you alright? Mommy is so sorry.” Tears trickle down Daisy’s cheeks as she checks her daughter for any injuries, and my heart aches, witnessing this.

“Mommy, don’t cry. Your Hopi is super-duper fine.” Hope gently wipes her mother’s tears with her tiny hands.

“Mommy got so scared, Hopi.” Daisy kisses every inch of Hope’s face before saying, “Promise Mommy that you’ll never stand and keep your naughtiness aside while you take any rides after today.”

“Pinky promise, Mommy. Hope will never let you cry like this again.” She promises her mommy, showing her pinky finger.

Daisy smiles and places a soft kiss on her forehead. A smile graces my lips as well, witnessing the beautiful bond between a mother and daughter.

I freeze in place as Hope turns her gaze toward me and calls, “Daddy…”

Daddy?

Did Daisy inform Hope that I’m her father?

I can’t believe it.

Listening to Hope call me “Daddy” is like a dream come true, a moment I never thought I’d experience. It takes everything in me not to break down in tears right now.