Novel-novel oleh Nyen

The rain was still falling when I woke up. Not the cold heavy downpour from last night, just a warm soft, steady patter against the windows. It should have been comforting. I’d always liked mornings like this, when the world seemed to move a little slower. But all it did was drag me back to that drive last night, to Dominic sitting in my passenger seat, rain dripping down his face, and that quiet voice I just….hope. I pushed the thought away and swung my legs over the bed to get up and start the day. Busy day ahead. No time for the ghosts from my past. ******** By the time Eliana came bouncing into the kitchen, the smell of toast and sausages filed the air. Mommy, guess what?” She slid into the chair across from me, eyes wide. I braced myself. “What?” She barely paused for breath as she launched into a detailed recap of yesterday’s art showcase — how she’d painted her lion, how the teacher said it looked “fierce,” how everyone clapped. “And Uncle Dom clapped the loudest,”

The rain had turned from a drizzle to a steady drape by the time she reached her car. She fumbled with her keys, telling herself she didn’t care whether Dominic was still standing by the curb. But when she glanced over her shoulder, he was exactly where she’d left him — one hand in his pocket, the other holding nothing to shield himself from the downpour. The streetlight caught on the wet strands of his hair, making him look younger, less untouchable. And dangerously familiar. “Do you plan on just standing there until you dissolve?” she called before she could stop herself. He turned, that almost-smile tugging at his mouth. “I was waiting to see if you’d offer me a ride.” “I’m not going out of my way.” “It’s on your way.” She sighed. The man was impossible. “Fine. But don’t drip all over my seat.” Dominic’s POV The inside of her car smelled faintly of coffee and the lemony hand cream she used to keep on her nightstand when they were still married. The scent tugged

Lena’s POV The school gym smelled faintly of tempera paint and floor polish. Paper lanterns hung from the rafters, each one painted my tiny hands; messy and cute. The low hum of parents chatting filled the air, broken ever so often by bursts of laughter from children darting between tables. Lena firmly gripped the strap of her purse as she scanned the crowd. She had told him not to come, almost texted “never mind”. But when Eliana had asked her this morning if Dominic would be there, her eyes bright with hope, Lena hadn’t been able to say no. And now, he was here. Dominic stood by the refreshment table,gone was the tailored suit instead he wore a dark jean jacket over an opened-collared shirt, looking like he wandered into the wrong universe- except he did not look uncomfortable. He was talking to one of the teachers, nodding as if he was discussing boardroom strategies instead of preschool art. A few mothers were already looking at him over their paper cups of juice,whis

It had been 24 hours since he met Eliana,and Dominic still could not get her voice out of his head. Her soft giggles and playful chatter. Not the way she’d said his name— like she was trying it on to see if it fit. Not the way she sat cross legged on the floor, completely unselfconscious, explaining that her lions were now “best friends”. Not the way she smiled. Soft. Trusting. Something he hadn’t earned. He was determined to earn it Lena’s face still haunted him just as much. Guarded. Calculated. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop. She didn’t believe him. Not yet. Maybe she never will. He knew better than to try and buy his way in. Lena would see that for exactly what it was. She didn’t want grand gestures. She wanted something really rare. Something he never wholeheartedly gave anyone before. Consistency. ******** That afternoon,Dominic called a supplier he sometimes used for corporate gifting. He ordered a small shipment of illustrated children’s books both cl

Lena stood in the kitchen doorway, watching Eliana talk to her lions as she munched on her apple slices.Dominic was gone.But his presence still lingered—like the scent of his cologne,the weight of memories pressing on her chest.“Max and Leo are best friends now,” Eliana said happily, holding the two lions together.“Who?” Lena asked blinking continuously, to bring herself back from painful memories.“Silly mummy, my lions” Eliana giggled cheerfully.“That’s wonderful, sweetheart,” Lena murmured, brushing a loose curl off her daughter’s forehead.But her hands trembled.She turned away before Eliana could notice, retreating to the small laundry room at the back of the apartment. She pressed her palms against the cool wall and then her chest, finally letting herself breathe.She hadn’t expected it to hit so hard.Seeing Dominic on the floor beside their daughter—smiling, gentle, almost human, pretty sure he was definitely human. That wasn’t the man she remembered from five years ago,

Dominic hadn’t been this nervous in years.Not during his first merger.Not when the board tried to push him out.Not even when he stood at the altar beside Lena in a suit custom-tailored to hide how hollow he felt.But this?This was different.He stood just outside the bookstore’s back entrance, staring at the small wooden steps that led up to the apartment Lena shared with her daughter—his daughter.The word still felt foreign. Heavy. Powerful.He clenched his fists in his coat pockets and glanced down at the bag he held. Inside was a small stuffed lion—something he had bought on impulse. He remembered the way the girl had clutched hers the other day. It had looked old, loved, maybe even falling apart.He hadn’t known what else to bring. What do you give a child who doesn’t know you exist?The door opened before he could knock.Lena stood in the doorway, her eyes guarded. She wore a simple sweater and jeans, her hair pulled into a loose bun. She looked nothing like the woman he’d l