Chapter 95
Chapter 95
RAVEL
PRESENT TIME
I apanied Hazel to the apartment she had thoughtfully secured for her temporary residence.
Although I had generously extended the offer of one of the penthouses, particrly the one I had
personally bought for her, she gracefully declined, firmly asserting that she had already settled the
rental fee and had no intentions of seeking a reimbursement. A hunch crept into my mind, suggesting
that her reluctance to ept any form of assistance from me might be intertwined with June’s presence
in our lives. This inkling grew stronger when, in a sincere attempt topensate her for the expense
she had incurred on renting the ce, she courteously rebuffed my offer.
As our vehicle pulled into the designated parking area of her rented apartment, I shifted my gaze
towards her and broke into a warm smile. “I truly appreciate your presence,” I expressed with sincerity
in my voice.
A soft smile graced her lips as she posed the inviting question, “Would you like to join me for ate-
night coffee?” I couldn’t resist such a gesture. “If you feel the need to head to the hospital, Ipletely
understand,” she added, disying her considerate nature.
I pondered the situation briefly. “Anne is there with her, and she’ll keep me informed if anything arises.
Besides, Raymond returned today, and I’m certain he’s with her,” I assured her as I removed the key
from the ignition and stepped out of the vehicle.
Hazel also exited the car, and she shared a crucial piece of information, “Daisy is in there with her
nanny.” Her words halted
my tracks. “You don’t have toe up if you don’t want to,” she kindly offered.
me in
I weighed my options, realizing it had been far too long since I should have seen my daughter. I
nced down at my empty hands, a hint of regret coloring my expression. “You should have informed
me earlier so I could have picked up something for her,” I mused, acknowledging the missed
opportunity to bring a little gift for Daisy.
Herughter danced through the moment as she yfully teased, “She’s just two, Ravel. I’m certain
she won’t mind your visit without a gift.” Together, we entered the elevator, continuing our light-hearted
banter. “My daughter is not materialistic,” she quipped, eliciting another shared chuckle between us.
umon
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As we strolled down the hallway, my steps came to an abrupt halt in front of her door. My nerves
seemed to betray me, an
n urrence for someone like me. It was curious how Hazel had the power to make me feel this way. I
moistened my lips nervously, my uncertainty betraying my usualposure. “What if she doesn’t like
me?” I found myself blurting
out.
Herughter bubbled forth again, clearly finding my momentary vulnerability amusing. “She’s just two
years and a few months old, Ravel, and trust me, Daisy is very open to anyone, as long as you’re kind
to her. Just remember to smile a lot,” she reassured me with a yful grin, dispelling my doubts with
her gentle guidance.
I enthusiastically nodded in agreement, allowing Hazel to open the door and guide me inside. The
moment we stepped into the living room, my heart was immediately captured by another human
presence.
It was the unmistakable figure of Daisy, whose striking resemnce to me left no doubt about her
identity. As she raised her head, her gaze first locked onto mine, and then she slowly shifted it towards
Hazel. In that fleeting moment, our eyes connected, but she quickly turned her attention back to Hazel.
Her face lit up with an infectious, radiant smile, her eyes brimming with warmth.
I fought to suppress any twinge of pain that may have surfaced from the realization that my daughter
seemed indifferent to my presence. It wasn’t her fault, after all. This was her first time seeing me. In a
burst of excitement, Daisy eximed, “Mama!” before rising to her feet.
Hazel’s whispered reminder to “remember to smile at her” echoed in my ears as the adorable little girl
rose to her feet and dashed over to Hazel. In Hazel’s arms, Daisy was met with a shower of
affectionate kisses, which, in turn, evoked joyful giggles from her.
I observed their endearing interaction, patiently awaiting Hazel to take the lead. I understood that she
wouldn’t introduce
Chapter 95
me as her father just yet; Daisy was still a young child, and we would let here to that realization on
her own.
After countless kisses and a chorus of giggles, Hazel gently redirected Daisy’s attention toward me. I
summoned the widest, warmest smile I could muster. In this moment, it was the most precious offering
I could provide: my smile, love, and
support.
Hazel, speaking in a tender tone, inquired, “Would you like to say hi to mommy’s friend?”
A shy nod from Daisy signaled her willingness, and Hazel gently lowered her to the floor. Kneeling to
her eye level, I ced one knee on the ground, ready to make her acquaintance. To my pleasant
surprise, Daisy extended her tiny hand for a handshake, a gesture that caught me off guard. I nced
briefly at Hazel, who nodded in encouragement, urging me to ept the gesture. With gentle care, I
enclosed her delicate hand within my own.
“I am Daisy,” she introduced herself softly, her innocence and charm shining through.
My already wide smile couldn’t help but broaden further. “I am Ravel,” I replied, offering my own
introduction. “I’m Mummy’s close friend.”
She nced at Hazel briefly before returning her gaze to me, her curious innocence shining brightly.
“Closer than Uncle David?” she inquired innocently.
I fought to maintain my smile, determined not to let any other emotions surface. It irked me to think that
David was even a point ofparison in my daughter’s mind, especially since he had no rightful im
to the title of “uncle.” “Yes,” I affirmed, “closer than David.”
I took a gentle step forward, requesting, “Can I give you a hug?” Daisy looked to Hazel for approval,
and upon receiving a nod, she inched closer. Her tiny hands encircled my neck as myrger ones
enveloped her delicate frame. It was an embrace that filled me with overwhelming emotion.
Daisy’s sweet voice whispered in my ear, “Are you feeling sad? Mama said to give hugs to people
when they’re feeling sad.”
My eyes welled with tears, touched by her kindness. “I am happy,” I whispered in response, answering
her question. “I am overly happy, which is why I requested a hug.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I am
happy to finally meet you.”
Daisy’s curious gaze fixed upon me as she confessed, “I’ve seen your pictures in Mama’s room.” Her
revtion caused my eyebrows to shoot up to my hairline, a mixture of surprise and intrigue washing
over me.
I turned to Hazel, a smug expression ying on my lips as I inquired, “Have you?”
Daisy nodded in confirmation, but the smugness quickly faded when Daisy continued, “But your
pictures make her sad. She cries a lot every time she stares at them.”
The revtion struck a chord, leaving me somewhat disarmed by the emotional impact my actions and
betrayal seemed to have on Hazel.
Before the conversation could delve further into ufortable territory, Hazel intervened, taking
Daisy’s hand and gently guiding her away. “I think you have said enough.” She redirected her attention
to the otherdy in the living room, inquiring, “Has she had dinner yet?”
The youngdy nodded and responded, “Yes ma’am, she had dinner a while ago.”
Hazel’s phone rang from her purse, and she retrieved it, stealing a quick nce at the screen. In that
brief moment, I managed to catch a glimpse of the caller’s identity – none other than David. Hazel
politely excused herself to take the call, leaving me to engage in a delightful storytelling session with
Daisy. She regaled me with countless tales of princesses, towers, and wicked witches, which kept me
thoroughly entertained.
As time passed and Hazel failed to return, I decided to entrust Daisy to her nanny’s care temporarily
and set off to find Hazel. My search led me to the hallway, where I discovered her engaged in a heated
argument with David. Respecting their privacy, I chose not to eavesdrop, even though my curiosity
gnawed at me, and I quietly returned to the living room.
Thirty minutester, Hazel returned to the living room. Despite her efforts to maintain a rxed
demeanor for Daisy’s sake, I could discern that something had unsettled her. “Is everything okay?” I
inquired, studying her closely.
Chapter 95
She nodded and settled down beside me, her eyes fixed on Daisy as she yed with my Rolex. “If you
can stay for one more hour, you can read her favorite bedtime story.”
I chuckled, recognizing the story she was referring to. “The one about the wicked witch who locked the
princess in a tower?” I asked, and Hazel joined in with a soft chuckle.
“She already told you the story?” she asked, and I nodded in confirmation. Her response was
reassuring. “Well, that’s good news.”
“Yeah?” I inquired.
Hazel nodded and affirmed, “It means that she likes you.”