My Ex-wife, My Destination

y's

lunch." I've been mollifying Hope for a few minutes, but she isn't ready to listen to me. She's stil

face turned away from me. Her lunch sits untouched in

wich and bring it closer to her mouth. "At leas

Today, Hopi won't listen to you. You sh

mur before coming to the kitchen to p

*

shake?" Hearing my words, Hope immediately looks at the

y plan is

se she's angry, right?" I

ou." She snatches the glass from

o say no to her favourite sha

stroke her hair with a smile on my face. "A

mmy. Hopi is super

mood lifting. "I'm glad, sweetheart. Mommy i

t stay angry with you for long." She sits on my lap and places

. "Mommy loves you too, more than anything in thi

n't come between us a

ing her again. When I told Hope that she had a one-week holiday, she danced in overjoy for th

overs the truth about Hope? And what if he snatches her

ventually, I'll have to face Luke. However, there

the dining table, munching on cookies, whi

yes from the laptop to her, she looks at me with puppy dog

met him three times, why can't she get him out of

es me, bringing m

ive her a

He is really nice. H

iddling with my necklace. "Y

live?" She asks, pouti

, and he left two days ago." I j

e is getting so atta

, "You're forgetting, Daisy,

fear. The thought of Luke being Hope's father and the possibility

ope's innocent question brings me back to the presen

home, Hopi," I reply, forcing a smile. "Bu

ever me

nts to meet him now. Take me to h

not now, never. But how

acing with anxiety. "Princess, Mommy can't do an

my heart. "Mommy, please do something. Hope misses Uncle so much

is. I have to protect you from that monster. That person ca

eep them apart, their bond is undeniable. But I can't let her go to him

, I pull Hope into my warm arms, holding her close to my

r sobs shaking her tiny body. "Mommy, H

self for ever letting Luke enter our lives. But I can

Please stop crying," I request, wiping her tears.

t control it, Mom

ng, Mommy will also start

head and hugs me. "No, Mommy. Hopi can'

ads across my face upon listening to her words. I kiss

*

hall. Hope is engrossed in colouring, and

about Luke. Maybe she'll forget with time. And

. I place my laptop beside me on the floor and

ob, staring at him, deadpan. My fear comes true; he's returned to snatch my daugh

ust don't. Close th