Behind My Ex-husband Cold Eyes

ing through the fabric, but it was nothing compared to the chill

d sense the weight of unanswered questions hanging in the air. Her daughter wa

t unsure. Tiana glanced down at her daughter, the innocence in her eyes c

needed to say something-something that would ease Ivy's fears without givin

row furrowed. "But you don'

own. "I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world, Ivy. And no ma

y whispered. "I don'

ay, baby," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Ivy's ea

ght of the situation. She wished she could shield Ivy from the pain and confusion, but the truth was unavoidable. Sebastian's ret

covered home brought a sense of comfort, a temporary escape from the turmoil of her thoughts. It

ked up the front steps. She reached out to ring the doorbell, and w

warm with affection. He pulled Ivy into a hug, lifting her up in the air and twirling her around. Ivy giggled,

ed, wiggling in his arms.

Ivy back down. "Too big for a twir

d been her rock, supporting her through all the years of hardship after Sebastian had left. He'd been there whe

've got a pot of your favorite soup on the stove, Ti

lit up. "Co

savory scent of the soup filled the air, making the house feel even more like home. The soft glow of the lamps and t

ard sitting on the couch while Ivy curled up in a

tle, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. He had alw

ying to gather her thoughts.

n Sebastian had caused her over the years, how deeply his absence had affected their family.

said quietly. "He came

ghtly, his protective instincts k

e at the thought of Sebastian. "He wants to be part of Ivy's life, Dad. He's sayin

ly. "He doesn't deserve to just walk back in like nothing happene

ho had once believed in the man she married. "I don't know what to do, Dad. I don't want Ivy to grow

o what's best for her. And for you. I know it's hard, but don't let

f I can ever forgive him for leaving us, for abandoning Ivy. But I also don't want to be

comes," Richard said softly. "But you d

have to decide right now. Maybe she could take things one day at a time,

t of being with her family, and on the love she shared

ut the cookies she'd eaten and the games she planned to play tomorrow. Richard kept the conversation light, steeri

tian had always been a part of her heart, no matter how much she tried to bury those feelings. And now, as he fought for a p

en more importantly, could she let him back into their lives

ix of comfort and unease as she watched Ivy snuggled up with her grandfather, listening intently to one of his many stories from his younger day

head resting against Richard's shoulder. Tiana gently lifted her daughter into

" Tiana whispered. "L

a carried her to the guest room upstairs, carefully tucking her into the soft bed and pulling the blanket

would she be able to give Ivy with Sebastian back in the picture? Could she protect her daughte

r small voice pulling

ana replied softly, k

orrow?" Ivy asked, her ey

a direct question so soon. She hadn't figured out how to e

ing a stray lock of hair from Ivy's face

eyelids fluttering as she f

r's chest, before quietly leaving the room and heading back downstairs. She f

said as she settled on

, his eyes focused on the

he fire as well. "I don't know what to do, Dad. I don't want

ce you saw him today?" Richard as

deserves an explanation, but at the same time, I don't want to make any decisio

or you, too. Sebastian may want back into Ivy's life, but that doesn't mean you owe him anything. You've spent years r

ebastian. She had learned to stand on her own two feet, to trust herself. But what if Sebastian had t

oice filled with uncertainty. "What if this ti

ce low and steady. "You've been hurt before, Tiana. You can't just forget that, no matter how much he says he's ch

couldn't just ignore the years of pain and abandonment, the betrayal that still lingered in her heart. But par

go about it. I'm scared, Dad. Scared of what will happen

ing her hand in his. "Whatever happens, I'll

ng support. "I know. I just don't want to mess thi

ndation, no matter what happens with Sebastian. And if he's truly changed, he'll r

of everything she had been holding in finally coming

aid firmly. "Not if you trust yoursel

e was ready to trust Sebastian again, but she knew one thing for certain: she

o meet her. The morning sun was just beginning to climb in the sky, casting a golden hue across the stree

ame man who had walked away from her all those years ago, and yet... there was something di

im. When he looked up and saw her approaching, his expressio

y, standing as she reached the

tried to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I didn't c

s never leaving hers. "I