Chapter 52

Chapter 52

The later afternoon sky was some thing to behold. With colours of deep crimson, remnants of the darkest blue hues, and whisps of orange, it was like a work of art. I observed said art from the window in the kitchen as I sipped on a glass of water.

It was yet another evening that I was left to myself but I had grown accustomed to it. Not that I was happy with it at all but I was not surprised by the quiet house and eating alone. Dante would make some plan or the other whilst I was at work and send me a message about it. I never dared to dispute it since it would only prove his point.

It didn’t help that Hayley always seemed so much happier when she got home and I readied her for bed using that time to it’s full potential to cover up missing her all day. It was clear from the way she spoke that Dante took care of her, thought her things, and cared for her far more than I thought he would in such a short span of time.

Hayley lived being with him and she enjoyed his attention leaving me in a tough position. One one hand if I put a stop to it and fought against Dante, Hayley would be affected and, on the other hand, if I did nothing about it, I would soon slowly begin losing a bond with my own daughter. A little far fetched but at least that is what it had felt like.

I couldn’t explain this to Hayley since she was only a child who had already endured too much to bare the burden of grown up issues. I also did not want her to feel any sort of guit for being with her father neither did I want her to make sacrifices out of guilt. Again, she was only a child enjoying the newness and warmth of fatherly affection.

I took in a deep breath then exhaled through my mouth. The glass in my hand was empty and I gave it a rinse before placing it back on to the rack to dry.

Dragging my feel across the kitchen, I opened the fridge to see what it is I could cook up for one when my phone buzzed against the counter. I shut the fridge and reached for it to find Adams number flash across the screen.

“Adam!” I exclaimed eager to hear from him.

“Sophia, hey.” He greeted me back with just as much enthusiasm.

I haven’t seen Adam for weeks now. He had to make an unexpected trip to Europe for business that had come up and I guess he had only just returned recently to the states.

“Please tell me you’re back on American soil.” I pleaded.

“As a matter of fact, I’m a minute away from your house and I have food.” He said causing me to smile immediately.

I was more than ecstatic to be with a familiar face especially Adam. He was the one person who would understand what ever I had to explain to him and even if he didn’t have any solutions, it would be nice to have a listening ear.

“I will open up a bottle.” I said to him before hanging up and moving to pull out an unopened bottle of wine.

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Chapter 32

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Adam showed up in no time and I had let him in with his hands full. He rushed over the the kitchen and deposited the contents on to the counter and my mouth began salivating from the smell of the food. It was only then did I realise how famished I was.

“Ah, I cannot explain how happy I am to see you, Adam.” I said before pulling him into a bear hug.

He chuckled then hugged me back before we broke apart. Adam hadn’t changed at all in the few weeks I did not see him except for the stubble he had which made him look so serious.

“Hold on a minute. I have something for you.” He said moving the paper back of food to reveal a very fancy box.

“What is this?” I questioned but he had added another smaller velvet box over the larger rectangular

one.

“The bigger box is hand crafted, Belgium chocolate but the other box you’re going to have to open for yourself.” He said with a grin and I instantly popped open the box and gasped at the sight that greeted me.

A stunning pair of dainty white gold hoops sparkled beneath the lights. The diamonds flashed and twinkled and I just looked at it in awe.

“This, wow, this is absolutely beautiful. I love it!” I said still a little stunned at how pretty this piece. of jewelry had been.

It was extravagant enough to turn heads but dainty enough to be worn on the daily and I could not wait to wear it tomorrow,

–

“And for Hayley, I have a little something too. He reached for the pink gift bag with a large satin. ribbon on it before he frowned.

“Where is Hayley, by the way?” He asked looking around as if he had missed her.

“She actually isn’t home right now.” I said trying not to let the way I felt about that leak through my

tone.

“What do you mean? She is never ever any where with out you.” He said in bafflement placing the gift back on to the counter.

I shrugged sheepishly which caused him to fix his gaze on me. “That is a bit of along story. Why don’t we sit to eat and I can fill you in on all that you have missed while you had been away.” I suggested and he hesitantly nodded.

Adam popped open the bottle of wine while I fished out cutlery and two glasses for us before we both were seated at the table. Our glasses filled with wine and the aroma of food wafting through the air had me eager to dig in but Adam eyed me expectantly awaiting me to tell him exactly what it is that he had missed resulting in Hayley’s absence.

I spent the next forty five minutes telling Adam about every thing that happened since he had left after Dante’s and Phoebe’s engagement party. I told him about how the engagement had been called off for some reason, that the paternity test had never taken place due to me leaving the country yet Dante still knew that Hayley was his daughter.

Chapter 52

“I did hear something about their engagement breaking off but to

be honest I don’t think anyb*dy really knows the true reason behind it.” Adam said as he took a sip of his wine before forking some food into his mouth.

“it really is weird that such a thing had happened. I think I speak for everyone when I say that no one expected Phoebe to let go of Dante so easily. “Adam made a sound of agreement as he nodded rapidly at the point that I made.

Adams for covered in the air above his food. “so is Dante behaving after the grand discovery that he had made? “Adam questioned with a skeptical raised brow and all I could do was get out infrastrated sigh thinking about it.

“I do not even know where to begin when it comes to that. “I stabbed my chopsticks angry into the tangle of noodles. “it goes without saying that neither one of his expected him to be

accommodating and easy going once he found out the truth about Haley. but the man is in next level. like I understand that he wants to make up for all the last time but he does it in such an overbearing and forceful way that I can’t help but feel angry each time. “I explained and even as I spoke about it I could feel the irritation build up all over again.

“that does sound like typical Dante for you. I’m just surprised that he has held off involving the law into all of this. “he said and I snorted resisting the urge to roll my eyes at that statement.

“he mean have not involved the law in it as yet but he certainly holds that over my head. it’s almost like he is keeping that as his trump card. “I could already imagine the number of times that he had used it to scare me.

“most importantly though how is Hailey taking all of this? I mean the child was led to believe that her father was virtually dead only to know be told that hey there’s your father. “Adam asked with so much of concern in his tone for Hailey in this whole mess.

I lead back against my chair and let out a heavy breath. ‘she is taking this far better than I thought she would. I guess it helped that she had taken a liking to Dante when she thought that he was just some random friend of mine. in fact before I I broke the news to her she had been already asked me about why don’t they wasn’t around as often. it’s just that now that she knows that Dante is her father and would Dante knowing that Hailey is his own blood and flesh the both of them are annoyingly inseparable. “I couldn’t help the groan that escaped my l*ps.

“but on the bright side at least Haley now has her father. I guess it’s a good thing that Dante is so interested in playing the role well. as much as I know the situation maybe irritating you with how overbearing Dante can be, I think maybe just focus on Hayley’s well–being. “Adam suggested carefully glancing at me to make sure that I was not angry at him for saying such a thing.

“that’s all that I’m thinking about right now. seeing how happy Haley is around him is the only thing that keeping me from actively cutting him out. “I said with the firm nod but Adam raised a questioning brow with me.

“well that and aside from the fact that he could literally file for custody.” he shrugged sheepishly and this time I actually did glare at him.

“I just feel like now Hayley prefers to go out with Dante then hang out with me. it’s the reason why she isn’t even home right now. “my voice had dull down significantly as I looked at the food in front of me and not at Adam.

Chapter 32

“why don’t you just go along with them? I think that way here you gets the sense of both her parents at once without having to choose one over the other. “Adam suggested and I actually considered that possibility for a moment.

it did make a lot of sense for Dante and I to take Hayley out together. that way she would get that sense of family that she has been questioning whilst I would also feel included but I didn’t know how that idea would be received by Dante especially since he seem to selfishly want his daughter all to himself.

“but that also suggests that I would have to be around Dante and that’s not something I’m prepared for.” I shook my head to myself pushing the possibility away.

“you better get accustomed to him being around because by the look of it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I don’t pointing out the obvious and I grunted feeling like I wanted to pull every strand of my hair out.

I opened my mouth to respond to him but my phone began buzzing on top of the table and I reached for it instinctively.

“Well speak of the devil and the devil calls. “I said to Adam before I answered the call that was coming from Dante.

“hello? “I said only to be met by silence for a moment.

“mama? I need you.” Hayley’s flustered and pained voice rang through my ears triggering my motherly instinct. “my legs… She trailed off and I immediately pushed my chair back ready to go and find her.

Tm coming to you, sweetheart. It’s all going to be okay. Just give the phone back to your father so he can tell me where to find you.” I said gently to her.

Adam had already pushed his own chair back and reached for his keys which he had left at the counter when he arrived here.

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