“Grayson, Gabriella, your daddy…”
I couldn’t finish my sentence because Grayson let go of my waist.
“He’s not my daddy! He’s not our daddy, Mommy! He’s not!” Grayson shouted angrily before moving behind me and pushing Arlo away.
“Grayson!” I yelled.
“If you love us, and if you really cared about us, you wouldn’t have left! You’d have stayed with us like Gabriella’s classmate’s daddy! Go away!” Grayson screamed furiously before running off.
Arlo moved as if to follow him, but I stopped him.
“Son, accompany Gabriella to the bathroom. I’ll handle Grayson,” Mom said to me.
“Mommy, I really need to pee! Please, Mom,” Gabriella pleaded, tugging at my hand.
We had no choice but to go upstairs. Arlo seemed like he was about to speak, but he stopped when his father approached him.
“Dad,” I heard Arlo say softly.
In the bathroom with Gabriella, my hands trembled as I changed her clothes. I couldn’t shake the image of Arlo’s fiery eyes filled with anger, and I felt a pang of guilt for what Grayson had done to him.
“Mommy, why are your hands shaking?” Gabriella asked curiously.
“They’re not, baby. Mommy’s hands aren’t shaking,” I replied, trying to sound calm.
“But why do you seem flustered, Mommy? Is he our Daddy, Mommy? Is Daddy back? Will he stay with us now?” Gabriella asked innocently, her wide eyes filled with hope.
I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of her question. “Maybe Mommy is just tired and a little overwhelmed, child. Let’s go back outside; your brother might be waiting for us.”
“Mommy, the man downstairs—he looks just like Grayson. Is he Daddy Arlo?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
I knelt in front of her, holding both her hands. At only four years old, the twins were already so mature in their thoughts and emotions, especially when it came to me. I could feel their concern for me in every word they spoke.
“Yes, child, he’s your Daddy,” I finally admitted. “Isn’t this what you wished for from Santa Claus? That your Daddy would come back? Well, Santa has granted your wish,” I said, forcing a smile as I kissed her cheek.
“But why did Grayson say he’s not our Daddy?” she asked.
“Maybe your brother was just surprised, child. Your Daddy’s arrival was a bit unexpected. Come, let’s go see your Daddy downstairs,” I said, still smiling even though my heart was pounding with nerves.
“Okay, Mommy,” Gabriella replied politely, gripping my left hand tightly.
I turned the doorknob, and we both smiled as we stepped out. Despite the anxiety eating at me, I didn’t want her to notice my unease. I knew I wouldn’t feel at ease until Arlo and I had a proper conversation. Something in my gut told me that things might not go smoothly.
My eyes widened when I saw Arlo sitting on the edge of Gabriella’s pink Barbie bed. He was holding one of her Barbie dolls in his hands. My chest tightened as our eyes met. His gaze was so intense that I felt like he could knock me down where I stood.
Arlo didn’t say a word; his sharp eyes were locked on me, and I could feel the tension radiating from him. His gaze then shifted to Gabriella. Slowly, he stood up and walked toward us, still holding the doll.
“Mommy, he’s in my room,” Gabriella said, hiding behind me nervously.
“Baby, baby, don’t be scared,” I said, my voice trembling.
“I want to hold my children—the ones you kept away from me,” Arlo whispered authoritatively, his voice low and menacing. His tone made me feel like the ground could swallow me whole.
“I didn’t keep them from you,” I responded, my voice shaky.
“This is enough, Lily. We’ll talk later. But I’m taking the children from you,” he said firmly, his face so close to mine that our noses almost touched. The intensity of his glare made me feel like I was being strangled.
“No, no,” I said, shaking my head repeatedly.
I wouldn’t let him take my twins. I couldn’t bear the thought of my children being with his girlfriend.
Arlo knelt in front of me to get closer to Gabriella. My daughter tugged at my skirt unexpectedly, startling me. Thank goodness it was belted, or it would’ve slipped.
I gently held Gabriella’s hand and softly called her name, fighting back tears. Arlo’s face was filled with longing for the children, and it was heart-wrenching. But when he looked at me, all I saw was anger and hatred.
I couldn’t blame him—it was all my fault. If only I hadn’t let fear consume me, if only I had listened to Violet, none of this would’ve happened. Arlo had every right to blame me.
“Princess, come to Daddy,” Arlo said, his voice soft yet heavy with emotion. Hearing him call her made my chest tighten.
“Mommy, Mommy,” Gabriella called to me repeatedly, her voice breaking as she began to sob.
