183 Chapter 183

Damien’s POV

“Really?” Riley’s voice came through the phone, surprised. “That’s great! Who are you bringing?”

“I’ll let you know,” I said, already regretting the words. “See you Saturday.”

Thung up before she could ask more questions.

Lily was staring at me with those ocean and forest eyes. Her whole face was lit up with hope.

“Daddy?” Her voice was small. Careful. “Are you going to bring Mama?”

My chest tightened. “Lily-”

“Because I know where she is!” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I can show you! We can go get her and bring her to the party and then

everything will be perfect!”

“Baby, listen to me.” I knelt down so we were eye level. “The woman you saw today wasn’t Mama.”

“But she looked just like her! She had forest eyes and-”

“I know.” I caught her small hands in mine. “I know she looked similar. But it wasn’t her.”

“How do you know?” Her bottom lip trembled. “You didn’t even see her!”


“I just know,” I said quietly.

“Then who are you bringing?” Lily pulled her hands free, her expression shifting from hope to something harder. “Who’s coming with us

if it’s not Mama?”

“A friend. Someone nice who can—”

“I don’t want a friend!” Her voice got louder. Angry. “I want my mama! Why can’t I have my mama like all the other kids?”

“Lily-”

“It’s not fair!” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Grace has a mama. All the kids at daycare have mamas. Why don’t I get one?”

“You have a mama,” I said, my throat tight. “She’s just not here right now.”

“Then where is she?” Lily’s small fists clenched at her sides. “Why did she leave? Doesn’t she love me?”

My heart shattered. “Of course she loves you. She loves you so much—”

The words came out as a

her into my arms even though she tried to push away. Held her

chest.


hair. “She had

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183 Chapter 183

my shirt. “I hate them! I just

know, baby. I

stayed like that for a long time. Me holding her. Her crying. Both of us

to hiccups. Her small body went limp with

softly. “Let’s get you to

“But the party-”

party. I promise.” I lifted her, carrying her toward the stairs. “With a nice

I carried her up the stairs. Her room was exactly as she’d

that stuffed wolf she insisted on sleeping with


bed and helped her change into pajamas. The whole time, she didn’t say

those sad eyes.

pulled the covers up

really thought I found her,” she whispered. “When

“I know you did.”

don’t believe

not that I don’t believe

is.” She turned to face the wall, clutching that stuffed wolf. “Nobody believes me. Not you,

“Sweetie-”

Can I just sleep

dismissal hurt more than

said quietly. “Sleep

her forehead and stood up to

“Daddy?”

I turned back. “Yeah?”

barely audible. “She said she had her

think… do you

question made bile rise in

I said firmly. “No, Lily. That’s not–that

“How do you know?”

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183 Chapter 183

never love

my voice

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