No Forgiveness:He's Not The One

couldn't just wait for David to come home and pretend everythin

suggested to Lily the next morning, trying to sou

dea of seeing her father, of reclaiming his attention

my heart twisting. Sh

ow hum of activity. Nurses bustled by, their faces professional and detached. I bought a

e reception desk, talking in low voices. I didn't mean

ctoria' s daughter yesterday? He took a whole hour out of his rounds to sit with her while

know any better, I'd think they were the perfect little family. It's a shame ab

people saw me? The sensible, reliable architect,

ed to turn around, to grab Lily and run

! Daddy's offic

hall. We turned a corner, and my steps faltered. There, outside a patient room,

ood beside him, a soft, proprietary smile on her face. David was holding a stethosco

strong heartbeat," he said, and C

avid!" she chirped, throwi

s face in her hair. "Anything

a knife in my heart. That w

g cold. It was a perfect domestic tableau. The loving father, t

react, Lily d

ad

small voice echoing i

in his eyes, then it was replaced by irritation. Victoria' s smile t

vid asked, standing up. He sounded

ice trembling a little. She pointed at Chloe and th

ery quiet. Chloe hid behind Victoria' s legs, looking scared. Victoria placed a protective han

his tone strained. "We've talked ab

irl," Lily said, her lower lip

toria, trapped. And then, as he always did, he

ed at me, his voice low and furious. "Bringing h

aughter, David? The one you've been ignoring for a week? The one who is standing r

s. He bent down and murmured something to Vic

ictoria. "Why don't you take

e kind a victor gives to the vanquished, and led her daughter away. D

he demanded. "Following me to my workplace?

ally snapping. "That is your daughter! We

t on his face, as if I were a difficult patient he could

leaving me and Lily standing alone in the cold, empty corridor. The coffee cup slipped from my numb fingers and cr