Chapter 6: Face Him Again

Ashley received Varany's call at the worst possible time. She had just watched Bradly become a father, and now she had to help him pretend he was still a stranger.

Her phone buzzed.

Varany.

Ashley stepped away before answering. “Hello?”

“Sis, come back here. I'm making cookies, and I need to talk to you.”

Ashley glanced toward Bradly and Nihan, who were still playing an arcade game. Bradly stood behind his daughter, helping her aim while they laughed together.

“Okay. We'll head back after this.”

She ended the call and returned to them.

“Princess, we need to go. Mommy is calling.”

Nihan's smile disappeared. “Can we stay a little longer, Auntie? I want to be with Daddy more.”

“We can do this again. Mommy made cookies for you.”

Nihan hesitated. “Can Daddy come with us?”

“No,” Ashley and Bradly answered at the same time.

Nihan blinked.

“Not today,” Bradly quickly added, kneeling in front of her. “Daddy has a meeting. We can see each other next time, okay?”

Nihan nodded, but she kept holding his hand.

Bradly looked at her for a moment before leaning closer.

“Princess, can you promise Daddy something?”

Nihan nodded.

“Don't tell Mommy that we already met.”

“Okay,” she said brightly.

Ashley quickly lifted Nihan into her arms before she could ask more.

“Can we meet again tomorrow?” Nihan asked, looking at Bradly with hope.

“Of course,” Ashley answered.

“The promise was made too quickly,” Ashley realized. “Just not tomorrow. Daddy has something to do.”

She smiled at Nihan. “I'll get you a new doll instead, okay?”

Nihan's pout disappeared, and she nodded.

By the time they reached the car, Nihan hugged Bradly tightly before Ashley opened the door.

“Hey, brat,” Bradly called.

Ashley turned.

“Drive safely. Take care of my princess.” He hesitated. “If anything happens…”

He did not finish.

Ashley smirked. “Relax, Brother. If anything happens, your best friend will probably hang me upside down first.”

A faint smile crossed Bradly's face.

Then Ashley lowered her voice. “Varany wants to talk to me. I think it's about what we've been waiting for.”

Bradly's expression sharpened. “What do you mean?”

“I'll tell you later. I'll call you.”

Ashley drove home with Nihan talking excitedly about the zoo, the beach, and the park.

“All of us together,” Nihan said happily.

Ashley glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Nihan was playing with her new doll, completely unaware of the secret she had promised to keep.

“Princess, you promised Auntie something, didn't you?”

“Yes!” Nihan hugged her doll. “I won't tell Mommy.”

Ashley could only hope they were not asking too much of her.

When they reached the café, Nihan ran inside.

“Mommy! We're here!”

Varany looked up from the counter, where she was baking cookies, and smiled.

“Wow. My baby is full of energy.”

She lifted Nihan into her arms and kissed her cheek.

“Mommy, look!” Nihan held up her new doll. “Isn't she beautiful? She's my favorite ever.”

Ashley froze but forced herself to smile.

“Wow. She's so pretty,” Varany said. Then she turned to Ashley. “Sis, I hope you didn't spoil her again.”

Ashley laughed nervously.

“Come to my office,” Varany said. “I need to talk to you.”

Her stomach dropped.

“Marie, can you watch Nihan for a while?” Varany asked. “We need some privacy.”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

Marie took Nihan to play with Bro. Mark while Ashley followed Varany into the office.

Photos of Nihan covered the walls, showing years of a life built without Bradly. Ashley looked away before Varany could notice her reaction.

“Sis, is something wrong?” Ashley asked.

Varany hesitated. “I'm scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“What if Bradly doesn't accept her?” Varany asked. “What if he says she's not his?”

Ashley stayed quiet.

“I can't let Nihan go through what I went through,” Varany continued. “I can handle the pain, but if he hurts her, I won't allow it.”

Ashley reached across the desk and took her hand.

“Calm down. Anyone can see they're father and daughter. If he tries to deny her, I'll deal with him.”

Then she added quietly, “I'll help you disappear if I have to.”

The words made Ashley's guilt even heavier. She had just promised to help Varany run from the same man she had secretly helped meet Nihan.

“I've got you,” Ashley said. “Always.”

Then she asked, “So, have you made your decision?”

Varany lowered her eyes before finally looking up.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“I want to talk to him first.”

Ashley held her breath.

“After that, I'll decide,” Varany said.

Ashley cleared her throat. “When do you plan to talk to my brother?”

“Now.”

Varany picked up her bag. “Right now. My daughter's pain can't wait.”

Ashley froze before reaching for her phone. “Okay. I'll call him.”

“Do you want to meet here?” Ashley asked. “Or somewhere else?”

“Somewhere else. Saint Mary Marikina.”

Varany headed for the door.

Ashley followed, her mind racing. She knew Bradly would never willingly let them disappear again, especially after finally meeting Nihan. But Varany was already preparing for the possibility.

“If he doesn't agree,” Varany said, “we leave.”

Ashley stopped.

“We'll start over somewhere else. Abroad.”

Varany said it calmly, but Ashley knew what it meant. She was ready to disappear again if Bradly rejected Nihan.

Ashley looked down at her phone. She could warn Bradly, but there was no point in hiding the truth anymore.

She pressed his name and called.

After two rings, Bradly answered.

“Ash?”

Ashley closed her eyes.

“She wants to meet you.”

Silence filled the line.

“When?”

His voice was low and controlled.

“Now.”

A brief silence followed.

“Where?”

“Saint Mary Marikina.”

Bradly's breathing changed.

“Stay there,” he said. “I'm coming.”

The call ended.

Ashley lowered her phone and looked toward Varany.

Bradly was coming.

Varany was ready to leave if the meeting went badly, and neither of them knew what would happen when they finally stood face-to-face.

After six years of secrets, there would be no hiding this time.

One conversation would decide whether their broken family could finally come together or fall apart for good.