THE RETURN OF MY BABY FATHER

Samantha’s POVAll around me, a sea of people moved with grace, draped in pristine white. An all-white garden party.This baby shower filled me with warmth; I couldn't wait to finally hold the little one we’ve been longing for these past two years, the child who would bring a million joys into my life. This was David’s idea, a celebration he said symbolized the purity of a new beginning for our small family.The scent of blooming white roses from every corner of the garden filled my lungs. Instinctively, my hand stroked the large bump of my belly, feeling a subtle movement from within that never failed to make my heart flutter."Be patient, my love... soon you’ll meet both your parents. We love you so much," I whispered softly, barely audible amidst the clinking of crystal glasses and the polite laughter of high-society guests.In front of me, two meter-high cake towers stood grandly under a silk canopy that fluttered gently in the breeze. One was pale pink with sugar pearl decoration

David’s POV"Goddammit!"I snatched the half-empty bottle of Macallan off Samantha’s vanity and, with one violent jerk, hurled it at the mirror.Shards of glass exploded in every direction. My reflection shattered into a thousand jagged pieces—just as broken as my heart felt when I saw the look in Samantha’s eyes at the top of the stairs. That gaze, which used to be filled with adoration, held nothing now but a void that chilled me to the bone."Samantha!" I roared, my voice echoing through the vast room that now felt like a tomb.I trashed everything within reach. The bedside lamps, our framed wedding photos, even the crystal flower vase her mother had given us. I needed physical pain to drown out the gaping hole in my chest. But the more I destroyed, the more suffocated I felt. This room screamed her name, yet all that remained was the white dress she had ripped off and discarded on the garden floor.Erica stood in the doorway. Her garish red dress looked even more revolting to me n

David’s POVFive Years Later.I am a ghost, trapped in a cycle of regret for one thousand eight hundred days. It’s hard to believe how fast time has slipped away.How is Samantha? How is my child? Where is she?Those three questions never leave my mind."Daddy! Look! I drew a big ship!"The door to my study swung open, and a four-year-old boy came running in with a piece of paper in his hand. Leo.My hardened expression instantly softened. I knelt down, letting the boy collide with my legs. I lifted him up, kissing the top of his head which still smelled of baby soap. Leo has large eyes, and every time I look at him, I search for a trace of Samantha in them, even though I know it’s impossible."That’s great, Champ. Who is this ship for?""For Daddy! So Daddy can come home early and play soccer with me!" Leo laughed, his tiny hands patting my cheeks."I promise. Once this work is done, we’ll play in the park, okay?"I sat Leo down on the large sofa in the corner of the room, giving him