One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 185: His fear

"I won't do it again," He said shaking his head. Seriousness permeated his voice and his eyes as he stared at me.

"How can I make sure you're telling the truth? How do you know you won't look at them again when we still have a long journey to take ahead?"

He was silent for a moment, but his eyes never left me. And after a few seconds of silence, he then took a deep breath and started answering my question.

"Sam, I won't hurt you like that again and I won't do anything --- anything whether big or small to make you doubt me. I won't do anything that could break your trust. I know I'm not perfect and far from being one. I could definitely make some mistakes like not attending a dinner party, our friend's party, or whatever party it is. I can't be able to attend because maybe I'm stuck in an important meeting or I'm on an out-of-town project again.

In the future, I may not be able to take our daughter to a school fair or a family day and forget some small things or details that may be so important to you or Cali that I know could sometimes lead to misunderstandings, but that's just it. Sometimes, it's pretty normal in a relationship, isn't it? And unlike before, now I know my priorities, limitations, and boundaries not just as a father, and a family man, but as a person too, so you can put your worries away because I will never cheat on you again. I will never lie nor keep anything important or even if it's not that important--- I will tell you everything.

I will send you pictures when I'm not around. I will send you messages and call you so I can be sure you're always safe and of course, to let you know I'm not doing anything behind your back anymore. I know what I did to you before was completely wrong and hurtful but I promise it will never happen again. Besides, I can't get our daughter out of my mind every time I think back on what I did, so I assure you, you won't regret giving me this chance." It took me a while to absorb everything he said and when I was finally back on earth...

"Hmm..." All I could do was nod after he finished his long speech. But deep inside, excitement and satisfaction filled my nerves and sanity. At that moment I felt every beat of my heart hammering inside my ribcage. And it's a good thing it's inside my chest otherwise it has already jumped out of my body.

But then I frowned as I remembered something from what he said and that made me confused.

"Wait, what do you mean when you said you can't get our daughter out of your mind?"

"Ahh... that thing," he took a deep breath. "You know, what I did was wrong... it was so wrong that every time it comes back to my mind, I can't help but fear that one day, men will do to my daughter the same thing I did to you and I don't know what I can do or feel when that happens."

I blinked twice upon hearing his revelation. I didn't know he has that fear and feeling inside him.

"So you're afraid for Cali?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, kinda," he shrugged. "You know, there is this belief in the Philippines that sometimes it is the daughter who pays for the sins of the father to her mother, and it honestly creeps me out!"

I couldn't help biting my inside cheek to suppress my laughter and asked him again.

"And who told you that thing?"

"Caleb," he simply answered.

"And you believed him?"

"Yes, and sweetheart, I swear I don't know what to do if that thing ever happens to our daughter!"

I was going to say something but he spoke again which made me forget that thing in my head.

to suppress his anger towards me that time or even how your mom

straightened my

I asked them not to do anything. I begged my father not to hate you because I know it was my fault from the very beginning, so I told him--- I told them to let you go because that's what I also wanted to do after what happened.

hand and I

undo my mistakes or rewrite the past, so you wouldn't

thing I could do was to

things to me, Luke. I need to hear those words. At least now, I have

I sighed.

a few years ago, it's hard for me not to think, not to worry, and be scared. Luke, to be honest, I'm scared. I'm scared to bet on this relationship. I can't stop thinking and worrying that because of what happened, I might find it hard to trust again and that it will lead to more misunderstandings

and I will continuously prove my sincerity. If I have to take you to the office when we have a meeting, then, I will take you. If I have to stay home all day for you not to worry, I will be home and gladly cook for you. Or if I have to stay next to you every day, every

smile appeared

really sure you can do

do everything to make

agree to everything you said? What if I come with you every day to work

my question and I raised

he shrugged. "We will just order food every lunch or

get bored of my face?

won't get tired of you, Sam, never! We will enjoy life together, every day

back, my traitor heart made

love you and I promise to make it all right this time. I will be the man that you deserve and the husband that you need. But..." He suddenly

you're still willing to join me despite the pain I've caused

confused. Why can't he just continue

do you mean--- what do

to join me on my journey," he replied, squeezing

"Luke---"

I could open

want to be with me for the rest of your life?" I clearly heard the question mark sound at the

my seat as my

me right now?" I bit my lower lip when I

when he

replied, a sheepish smile curling against

nodding slowly. "If you're proposing to me right now, then

"Sweetheart, II..." He stuttered.

you don't have a ring,

going