LOGINAva:I was beginning to like him being here, and that explained the inexplicable warmth that seared through me the moment our eyes met.“Yes,” I forced a smile and sat upright, my gaze landing on Belle who had somehow climbed the couch and sat cross legged, also watching me with the exact same look her father was giving me.I glance between them, and dipped my head back a little, letting out a low chuckle, “Now, why on earth are you two looking at me like I'm some fragile doll that’s about to break.”Belle pouted, and stretched towards me, “Mama, you're crying.”I went absolutely still, but then remembered how easily I fell for this same trick of Belle's weeks ago.So I rolled my eyes, “Belle, what did I tell you about lying?”At the same time, I felt the tears that had been threatening to slid down my eyes, finally warm it’s way down my cheeks.Belle's pout deepened, and she pointed at my face. “But mama, you really are crying. See?”I lifted my hand to my cheek, feeling the wetness
Ava:“Why didn't you tell me you were on good terms with Dante?” My father said the moment we settled in the living room.A frown settled between my brows, and I really tried to reign in my annoyance at the first thing he had to say.I wasn't even sure why I kept entertaining him, despote knowing it was the same pattern. That he wouldn't simply change overnight. And that the only reason he might have come was to exactly tell me to try and make amends with Dante since I do not want to give up custody of my Belle.It was really exhausting, and I felt more at blame because I kept on entertaining his shenanigans.A deep sigh escaped my lips, “Is that why you came here?”His piercing eyes sharpened, but instead of lashing out like he usually would have, his gaze darted to the kitchen where we could hear Dante and Belle’s voice.He took a deep breath, “Just happens to be one of the many reasons I came here, but I assure you that it's the least.”My frown deepened and I waited for him to con
Dante:“Dante,” my mother called out, surprise flickering through her expression, “What are you doing here?”My expression turned blank, and nothing would have screamed my displeasure at their sudden presence more than my face was doing at the moment. “I should be asking you two that.”“Who’s that?” Ava asked softly from behind me and I suddenly had an insane urge to obstruct her view so she didn't see them and then shut the door close on them.But that would be too disrespectful. And as much as I would care sending the two of them away, I doubted heavily that Ava would be pleased if I did that Perhaps she'd prefer handling the situation by herself. In a more respectful way.Her fingers brushed against my back, pulling my attention back to the present.“Who’s there?” she asked again, finally pulling the door wider.I stepped aside, and soon as she saw my mother and her father outside, she went completely still, her eyes widened a fraction and she took a step back.The warmth that had
Dante:I reached for my phone and swiped through the message notifications I had received over the past twelve hours. Tapping on Marcus’s contact, a frown settled on my brows when I saw the last message he sent.My frown tightened, and I typed, before sending a message that read:‘Have you been able to track the vehicle?’His response didn't come up on time, so I simply placed my phone back into my pocket and stepped into the bathroom to wash my face.Ava left a spare brush, which was placed right beside hers.About five minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom, wiping my face with a small towel. My hands reached for the three loose buttons of my shirt, and I buttoned them up, before stepping outside the room.The moment I reached the hallway, my ears caught Belle’s giggle which was coming from down the kitchen.A small smile tipped the edge of my lips, and my hands brushed over my chest at the warm feeling engulfing inside me.I loved being here, more than anything. And most impo
Ava: I wasn't certain how long we stayed awake for, and neither did I recall the last thing I said to Dante, or the last thing he said to me before I dozed off. And throughout the night, I felt cuddled in his embrace. My eyes slowly blinked open, but I pressed it shut the moment I felt someone's weight on top of me. A frown settled between my brows and I tried to turn around on the bed, but I couldn't. “Mommy, wakie wakie. The sun is out.” Belle whispered, tugging at my sleeve and pulling me awake. Her chubby, little hands tapped my cheeks, then she stopped for a while, still trying to call out to me. I pressed my eyes shut, refusing to open them, then she tugged again, “You didn't tell me daddy was sleeping over,” I blinked open to find a pout on her lips as her gaze darted between Dante and I. “Now, you two cuddled without me,” a smile tipped the edge of my lips as she crawled her way in between us. Dante’s arm was wrapped behind me, but with how he wasn't moving either, I t
Ava: Dante’s finger’s traced down my arms absentmindedly. The movement of his fingers sent a cold shiver down my spine. And I held his gaze, unable to look away because of the intensity in them.The air between us felt charged and warm at the same time. Somehow, I could feel the understanding that was begining to settle into the space between us.And also, somehow, I could see myself simply just giving him one more chance to see how far this will take us.At this point, my decision wasn't solely off the fact that Belle needs and also wants him in her life, right now, I was thinking about myself.Because as twisted as it may sound, I really wanted him in my life. I wanted to.give him a chance to prove that he was being honest with me, and that everything that happened before was really a mistake.The only problem there was, is the fact that I was mentally and emotionally pulling away. The guilt of Ivy’s death couldn't easily be brushed away, and the fact that I would be taking the man







