Sean didn't listen to me; he gently stroked Aoife's hair. She was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the tension in the room. My heart raced as I waited for his response."I know that she's mine." The room fell silent as Sean's words hung in the air. The truth was finally revealed. I watched as Sean's expression softened, his gaze meeting mine with a hint of regret."I felt it." Sean's eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions, but I couldn't bring myself to look away.Aoife woke up, her eyes fluttering open as she stirred from her sleep. She looked up and saw Sean, her father, standing beside her."Mommy?" she whispered, confusion evident in her voice. "Who's this?" she asked.Sean sat down beside her, his voice gentle as he explained, "I'm your daddy, Aoife." Aoife's eyes widened in realization, a smile spreading across her face as she reached out to him."Mommy, you bring Daddy to me?" she turned to me with a hopeful look in her eyes.I was about to say no when Sean interrupted, "Ye
I groaned as the sound of the bell pierced through my sleep, dragging me from the depths of dreams into the harsh reality of another day. I glanced at the clock groggily, noting the early hour. Dawn was just breaking, casting a soft glow through the curtains. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I stumbled out of bed, my body protesting the early hour. If this is one of my daughter's stupid matches, I will confiscate her iPad for the whole week. "Aoife!" I called her name, my voice filled with a mix of annoyance and exhaustion. The thought of dealing with her antics before I even had a chance to fully wake up was almost too much to bear. Aoife had made it her mission to find me love, believing that I deserved happiness just as much as she did with her iPad. And so, every morning, I greeted these strangers at my doorstep with a fake smile plastered on my face and my heart heavy with the knowledge that I would have to endure another day of awkward conversations and forced connections.
I could feel my heart rate increasing as I struggled to maintain my composure. Despite the flood of emotions rushing through me, I managed to respond, "I think it's best if you leave." He does not age; his face is still striking, with a rugged charm that draws attention wherever he goes. His deeply tanned skin speaks of days spent under the sun. He has an air of mystery about him, with piercing dark eyes that seem to hold a thousand untold stories. "Can we just talk for a minute?" he asked, pointing at the patio, where my mini table is. It was meant for Aoife playtime during the afternoon. There was a big name for Aoife on the table. She drew it when she was younger. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond to his unexpected appearance. His presence stirred up memories I had tried to bury deep within me. As much as I wanted to hear what he had to say, I knew it was a conversation best left in the past. "We have nothing to talk about," I said firmly. "I want to see my daughter," he c
A mother's duty was to care for her children, ensuring they were fed, clothed, and loved unconditionally. She also took on the responsibility of teaching them important life lessons and instilling values that would guide them through their lives. We are here again in the four-corner white room, with the familiar smell of antiseptics and the sound of machines beeping in the background.I don't want her here, but she has grown up here, and she needs to be here for her health and well-being. She was a little fighter from the moment she was born, overcoming every obstacle with a strength that amazed everyone around her.I immediately came closer to her when I saw her waking up, her eyes slowly fluttering open as she looked up at me with a small smile. I gently hold her hand. As she squeezed my hand, I knew she was going to be okay. The bond between us was unbreakable, and I would do anything to ensure her happiness and health."You are already late for your class," I jokingly said, trying
I got up and wiped my tears so she couldn't see that I had just cried. I went back inside and put on a brave face, determined to do whatever it took to support my daughter during this difficult time. I knew that I needed to stay strong for her, no matter how tough things might get."Aey, what do you want to eat?" I asked, trying to distract her from the sadness in my eyes. She looked up at me with a weak smile and whispered, "I want cereal." I nodded, determined to buy her favorite meal to bring a little bit of comfort during this challenging period.I brushed the hair that had fallen on her face and said, "Would you be full when you eat it?"She nodded, her eyes brightening slightly at the thought of her favorite cereal. "Yes!" she replied softly.I smiled back. "I'll just buy outside. Ma'am Nurse will take care of you while I'm gone, okay?" I said, kissing her forehead. She nodded, squeezing my hand in reassurance. "Thank you, Mommy," she whispered before closing her eyes to rest. I
As I approached Aoife's hospital room, a heavy sense of guilt weighed on my shoulders like a leaden cloak. The memory of what had transpired with Sean lingered in the back of my mind, tainting every thought and action with a sense of shame.I feel like I'm so dirty that no matter how much I do to clean my body, the brutality of my sin will not go away.Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, my heart sinking at the sight of Aoife lying in her hospital bed, her small form pale and fragile against the crisp white sheets. She looked up as I entered, her eyes lighting up with a flicker of recognition and joy."Mommy!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement.My heart clenched at the sight of her, my love for her mingling with the overwhelming sense of guilt that threatened to consume me. I had done this for her, to ensure her wellbeing and happiness, but at what cost?Setting down the box of cereal I had brought for her, I forced a smile onto my face, determined to shield her fro
Did I accidentally repeat our past mistake? I dive into a hole, and no one will rescue me. Lilia greeted her husband with a hug. Sean greeted me with a casual nod, and I felt a wave of conflicting emotions surge within me. How could he act as if everything was normal? He told me that no one would be mad, and I trusted him. I couldn't help but steal glances at him when he wasn't looking. He looked so happy with his wife, so at ease. I'm snitching on my best friend's husband, and I don't want to betray her trust again. I struggled to maintain my composure as I tried to push away the guilt and shame that threatened to consume me. This was a mistake that I couldn't afford to make again. Mollie, keep it together, I urged myself silently. There's no use dwelling on the past. But it was hard to shake off the memories that flooded my mind, threatening to overwhelm me. "Hey, Mollie," Sean said with a warm smile as if nothing had ever changed between us. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" I
I swallowed my dignity with each move he made. I saw my face in the mirror, crying for help, and the face of the devil from hell. He was enjoying every minute behind my back. The fear and helplessness consumed me as I realized the depth of his control over me. When I accept his money, all I think about is my daughter, not even thinking twice about myself. A loud knock interrupted our tense moment, causing us both to jump in surprise. I quickly wiped away my tears and composed myself, knowing that I needed to stay strong for my daughter's sake. Sean pinched me in the waist as he mouthed that I should speak. "It's occupied!" I shouted. I could feel Sean's eyes burning into me, silently warning me to keep quiet. The knock came again, more insistent this time, and I knew I had to keep up the facade of normalcy for my daughter's safety. "Mollie, are you there?" I heard Lilia's voice calling from outside the door. My heart sank as I realized the danger we were in if she found out the tr