Chapter 2

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 continued, his voice filled with longing and regret.

"What daughter are you talking about? You have no daughter here."

I crossed my arms defensively, trying to block out the emotions that threatened to surface. "You lost that right a long time ago," I replied, my voice wavering slightly.

He took matters into his own hands, barging past me and into the house. I reached out instinctively, trying to stop him, but he brushed past me with a determined stride, his gaze fixed inside the house.

"Sean! I will call the police for trespassing." His shoulders tensed, but he didn't turn back.

"I need to see her, just for a moment," he pleaded as he disappeared through the doorway. My heart ached at the desperation in his voice, but I stood firm in my decision to protect my daughter from his unpredictable presence.

"Where is she?" Sean keeps asking while finding my daughter. I followed him, trying to stop him. I held his arm, but he was stronger than me and shook me off, continuing his search with a frantic determination that sent chills down my spine. Desperation radiated from him as he called out her name, his voice echoing through the empty rooms of the house.

"Aoife, Papa is here!" he shouted, his voice breaking with emotion. I prayed that my daughter was safe and hidden from his reach, knowing that her safety was my top priority.

Please hide my daughter; you are the best at hiding and seeking.

I knew that I had to act quickly to protect her from his erratic behavior. As he frantically searched, I whispered to Aoife to stay hidden until he left, promising to keep her safe no matter what.

"You are scaring my child." I pleaded with him to leave and assured him that we would call the police if he didn't.

"It's our child, Mollie," he said.

"You can't hide her from me. I have a lot of money right now; I'm not the guy from your past anymore," he threatens me.

My heart raced as I realized the danger we were in, but I remained calm for Aoife's sake. "Please, just go," I begged, hoping he would listen to me and leave us alone. But his eyes darkened with anger.

"Aoife!" he shouted, causing my daughter to cry out in fear.

"Sean, please stop. I would let her meet you, but please stop what you are doing. You are traumatizing my child." My voice quivered as I tried to reason with him, knowing that any wrong move could escalate the situation.

Sean froze for a moment. "I'm sorry, I did not mean it,"

He looked at me, and he took something from his pocket. He walks toward me slowly, his expression softening as he hands me a small box with a card on top. 

"I just wanted to give her this," he said quietly, before turning and walking away without another word.

I read the card on top; it was a business card from Sean Pearce, CEO of Zacharias Empire.

Where did I hear about that company? Suddenly, it hit me: Zacharias Empire was the company that had recently acquired the firm where I worked. I worked as a customer service representative for a fashion company, Z&E. and I just realized that Sean is now my boss.

I opened the small box; inside was a delicate heart necklace with a key on the side. What's with this key?

My thoughts were interrupted by a hug from someone. I looked down and saw Aoife crying on my tummy. I quickly hide the box in my pocket and sit down to face her. Aoife looked up at me with tear-filled eyes and whispered, "I'm scared, Mommy."

"Don't worry, sweetie," I reassured her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. 

"I'm here to protect you."

"Did he already leave? Is it my fault?" Aoife's voice trembled as she asked the question, her eyes searching mine for an answer. 

I shook my head, brushing her hair away from her face. "No, Aoife, it's not your fault. Everything will be okay," I said soothingly, trying to calm her fears.

"He's gone, and you are safe now," I added, hoping to ease her anxiety.

Aoife let out a shaky breath, her body relaxing slightly as she processed my words. "Mommy, I heard what he said."

"Did I accidentally choose my father?" she whispered before she painted my arm.