Stranger

**Zoya's POV**

I drove away from Benito’s apartment with Emilia sat in the backseat.

The silence between us was suffocating, thick and heavy, pressing down on my chest until every breath felt labored.

Emilia soon broke the quiet, her small voice bubbling with excitement as she chattered about her day with her dad, the games they played, the laughter they shared on the way to his place.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles turning white.

The sharp, metallic taste of blood filled my mouth where I had bitten the inside of my cheek too hard.

Not only did Benito have a powerful family and endless money, but he also had my daughter’s love. The thought settled like lead in my stomach. *I am doomed.*

By the time we reached home, Emilia had fallen fast asleep, her sticky ice-cream-coated fingers curled loosely around the seatbelt. The faint, sweet scent of vanilla and strawberry still clung to her skin.

I parked the car in the garage, the engine’s low rumble fading into silence, and carefully lifted Emilia into my arms.

Her warm, soft body slumped against my chest, her breath steady and peaceful.

As I stood by the front door, I could hear my dad’s voice drifting from inside, warm, relaxed, and laughing with someone.

The voice sounded strangely familiar, sending a ripple of unease down my spine.

“Zoya, you’re back,” Dad said, walking toward me and leaving his guest in the living room. “Why is Emilia back so early? Is she sick?”

“She isn’t,” I replied, my voice tight. “Benito decided today was a good day for some father-daughter bonding, so he picked her up early.” Anger seethed beneath my words, hot and bitter.

Dad shook his head, a deep scowl etching lines across his face.

He had never liked Benito. He had only tolerated him for my sake, always trying to please me, to keep me happy.

“Give her to me,” he said gently. “Go attend to your guest. I’ll put her to sleep.”

He took Emilia from my arms, cradling her as delicately as a fragile egg, his large hands impossibly tender.

“My guest?” I asked, peering over his shoulder, but I couldn’t see the person’s face from where I stood.

“Yes.” Dad disappeared down the hallway with Emilia.

The ‘guest’ stood up and turned to face me. My breath caught in my throat.

It was the man from that night. My palms grew slick with sweat, and my words dissolved before they could form.

*Why did Dad let him in? I don’t even know this man. What if he’s dangerous?* Sure, he had saved me from those thugs, but one good deed didn’t reveal someone’s true character.

“A penny for your thoughts,” he said, his palm stretched out toward me with an easy, charming smile playing on his lips.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered fiercely, not wanting Dad to overhear. “I thought I made it clear that I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“And I thought I made it clear that I’d keep chasing you until you finally agree to go out with me.” He stepped closer.

His warm, musky, masculine scent, the same intoxicating scent of ciderwood washed over me, making my pulse stutter.

“Look…” I realized with a jolt that I didn’t even know his name.

“I don’t care what you want,” I continued, forcing my voice to stay steady even as my insides trembled.

“My answer is still the same. I want nothing to do with you, so stay away from me and my family. The next time I find you in my house or anywhere near my family, I’ll call the cops.”

“This Benito you were talking about,” he asked, completely ignoring my threat, “is he your boyfriend?”

“It’s none of your business. Now get out.” I marched to the door and yanked it open, the hinges creaking sharply.

“Okay, I’ll leave for now,” he said, that warm, calming smile still lighting up his face, “but I’ll be back. I don’t see a ring on your finger, which means there’s nothing stopping me from making you mine.”

I looked away quickly, refusing to let him see the unwelcome flutter rising in the pit of my stomach.

He finally stepped outside. The moment he was gone, I slammed the door shut and bolted it, my heart hammering against my ribs. Then I rushed upstairs to find my dad.

He was standing on the balcony, gazing at the sky.

“Is he gone?” Dad asked without turning around.

“Dad, why did you let a stranger into our home?” The words came out sharper than I intended. This was so unlike him.

“When I came back from work, I saw him standing outside,” he explained calmly. “He said he was your friend and was waiting for you. I didn’t want him lingering out there under the scorching sun, so I invited him in.”

“He isn’t my friend. I don’t even know his name. What if he’s a murderer? Or a thief?” My voice rose with frustration.

Dad said nothing. He simply turned his gaze back to the vast blue sky, now streaked with the soft oranges and pinks of early evening.

With a heavy sigh, I stepped behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my cheek against his back. “How was work today?” I asked, desperate to change the subject.

“Work was okay,” he replied softly, glancing at me over his shoulder.

The late sunlight highlighted the deep wrinkles etched across his once-handsome face.

“I know I was careless today,” he admitted. “Letting a stranger in is unlike me. Something about him didn’t strike me as dangerous… but you’re right, we can’t rely only on instincts. I won’t let it happen again.”

“I’m sorry too,” I murmured, my hold on him tightening, “for speaking to you that way. I’m just so stressed and tired with everything that’s happening.”

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Dad said gently, turning to face me fully. “What did Benito do to you this time?”

“He’s threatening to take me to court, Dad,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “He said if I don’t let him be part of Emilia’s life, he’ll take her away from me. Daddy… I’m so tired. How did I fail to see him for who he truly is?”

“You were in love, baby,” he said softly, cupping my cheeks with his warm, calloused hands and brushing away my tears with his thumbs. “And sometimes, love blinds us.”

He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, then pulled me into a tight embrace.

His familiar scent comforting me, make me feel relaxed and safety wrapped around me like a shield.

“See this as another challenge you have to overcome,” he whispered. “And remember, you’re not fighting alone.”