Chapter 3

Yara Pov

“Ahhh, Daddy, higher! Go higher!”

The happy laughter drifting in from outside made my lips slowly curl into a smile.

I wiped my hands on the towel beside me before walking toward the window. The moment I looked outside, my steps stopped.

Anne was sitting on Amir’s shoulders, her tiny hands stretched high into the air as if she were flying.

“Higher!” she giggled. “Daddy, Anne is flying!”

Amir held her legs firmly before lifting her even higher. Anne squealed with excitement, and to my surprise, a faint smile appeared on Amir’s usually cold face.

It wasn’t the first time I had seen him smile like that.

But…

This was the first time I had ever seen him laugh so freely with our own daughter.

This was the smile Anne had waited three years to see.

The sight made my chest warm.

Without realizing it, I rested one hand against the window frame as I quietly watched them.

It had already been several days since our agreement. And Just like he had promised, Amir came every day after finishing his training and pack work.

I had been afraid he wouldn’t keep his word.

But he did.

He ate every meal with Anne. He played with her until she laughed so hard that tears gathered in her eyes. At night, he even stayed beside her bed until she fell asleep before quietly leaving.

Watching her these past few days, I finally understood why Healer Michael had insisted Anne needed to stay happy.

Her little cheeks had become rosier, and sometimes, I almost forgot she was seriously ill.

Maybe the healer was right.

As long as Anne could smile like this… everything was worth it.

Just then, I suddenly felt someone looking at me. Startled, I quickly looked outside again then my eyes met Amir’s.

For a brief second, neither of us moved.

I wanted to hide, but it was already too late. An awkward smile appeared on my face, and I gave him a small nod.

But his brows slowly furrowed. Then without another glance, he turned away from me as if I wasn’t even there.

The smile on my face froze.

Something inside my chest quietly cracked. I lowered my eyes with a bitter smile.

Oh, Yara…

When will you ever learn?

He’s only doing this because of the agreement. He’s only staying because he wants you out of his life.

Don’t misunderstand it. Don’t hope for something that will never happen.

I slowly clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms.

Then I took a deep breath and buried those foolish thoughts deep inside my heart.

There was still lunch to prepare.

I turned around and walked back into the kitchen.

But thinking of Anne’s happy smile, a strange uneasiness quietly settled in my chest. Moments like this never seemed to last.

***

The house was filled with Anne’s cheerful voice.

“Daddy, will you hug me to sleep again tonight?”

“Mm.”

Anne’s eyes curved into tiny crescents.

“Daddy, will you play flying higher with me again tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

Their conversation continued like that.

Amir answered with only one or two words every time.

His voice was still cold. His expression was still indifferent. Yet somehow… The atmosphere around them felt strangely warm.

I couldn’t help peeking toward the dining room.

Anne suddenly leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Amir’s cheek.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Amir froze for a brief second before gently rubbing her little head.

I smiled before shaking my head helplessly.

My silly little girl.

I turned back toward the stove and stirred the soup again.

A few minutes later, lunch was finally ready. I carefully carried the dishes toward the dining table. But just as I was about to walk inside, Anne’s sweet voice suddenly stopped me.

“Daddy… will you come to the hospital with me tomorrow?”

My footsteps paused.

I slowly looked toward Anne. Hope filled her bright eyes. Then my gaze shifted to Amir who had a frown on his face.

Actually…

I had wanted to ask him myself.

Tomorrow was Anne’s checkup and I wanted him to see everything with his own eyes. I wanted him to know that I hadn’t lied.

That Anne really was sick.

But before I could find the courage to ask… Anne had already asked first.

I held my breath.

Please… agree.

Just then, Amir suddenly looked toward me.

I immediately straightened my expression before walking over and placing the dishes on the table.

Only then did he finally speak to me.

“What hospital visit is Anne talking about?”

My fingers paused for a brief second.

This was the first time he had spoken directly to me since coming here.

I quietly swallowed the strange feeling rising inside me before answering calmly.

“Anne has regular checkups.” I lowered my eyes. “Tomorrow’s appointment is important. She can’t miss it.”

The room became quiet.

Amir frowned slightly before looking at Anne but she wasn’t even paying attention anymore.

Her eyes were fixed on the plate of fried chicken in front of her. When she noticed Amir looking at her, she quickly covered her face shyly before giggling.

My lips couldn’t help curling upward.

She was just too adorable.

Amir’s expression softened for a brief second. Then just as he was about to say something.. his phone suddenly rang.

The sharp ringtone broke the quiet room.

Almost at the same time, both of us looked toward the phone lying on the table.

My eyes landed on the caller’s name.

Selene.

The smile on my face slowly disappeared.

My fingers quietly tightened around the towel in my hands.

Without any hesitation, Amir picked up the phone.

The moment he saw the caller, his expression changed and he answered immediately.

I couldn’t hear what Selene was saying but as I watched the worry slowly appear on his face…

A familiar fear quietly spread through my chest.

Would he leave again? Would he choose them again?

Without realizing it, I found myself staring at him.

Maybe…

This time, he would choose Anne.

Just then, his eyes drifted toward Anne, who was happily eating her lunch. For one brief moment… I thought he would stay.

But my little hope shattered the moment he suddenly stood up.

The chair scraped loudly across the floor. Amir kept the phone against his ear as he hurried toward the door, his face was filled with worry.

He didn’t even look back.

“Daddy…?”

Anne’s soft voice suddenly stopped him.

He froze, then slowly, he turned around.

Anne was looking at him with confused eyes.

“But… Daddy promised to play with Anne.”

For a brief moment, Amir couldn’t say anything.

Then he forced out a small smile.

“Anne…” His voice became softer. “Daddy has something urgent to do.”

He walked back and gently rubbed her little head. “Be a good girl and wait for Daddy, okay?”

My heart sank.

So it was Selene again.

For Selene… he could leave everything behind. Even his own daughter.

Anne’s bright smile slowly disappeared. Still, she nodded obediently.

“Okay.”

She forced out a little smile.

“Anne will wait.” She lowered her head before adding softly, “Anne is a good girl.”

The smile on Amir’s face slowly disappeared. For a brief moment, he simply looked at her without saying anything.

This time, I couldn't bear to watch anymore, so I quietly closed my eyes. But just as I was wondering whether I should stop him…

His footsteps suddenly paused.

I opened my eyes only to see that he had turned toward me.

Our eyes met.

His face remained cold.

“You.”

I looked at him quietly.

“Wait for me tomorrow. I’ll come with both of you to the hospital. I’ll be here first thing in the morning.”

Before I could even react, he turned around and walked out. The front door quietly closed behind him.

For a long moment, I simply stood there staring at the closed door.

He actually agreed.

A small warmth quietly spread through my chest. Just then, Anne suddenly tugged at my sleeve.

“Mummy.”

I lowered my head.

She looked at me with the serious expression she always made whenever she thought she had become an adult.

“Mummy has to be a good girl too.”

I blinked.

“Daddy said he’ll come tomorrow.” She nodded firmly. “So Mummy has to listen to Daddy and wait.”

I stared at her for a long moment before a helpless smile slowly appeared on my face.

I gently rubbed her soft hair.

“Okay.” I whispered softly, “Mummy will wait.”

Anne smiled happily, completely believing her daddy would come back tomorrow.

Outside, the sound of Amir’s car slowly faded into the distance.

I closed my eyes.

Please…

Just this once…

Don’t disappoint our daughter again.