My Ex-wife, My Destination

Daisy’s P. O. V.

I reach Hope’s school, praying the entire way that Hope’s uncle shouldn’t be Luke. I borrowed my aunt’s car because I couldn’t book a cab.

As I park the car and look towards the entrance, I feel like someone has squeezed my heart and taken all the breath from my lungs.

It’s Luke. Hope’s uncle is my ex-husband, the man I devoted myself to, who ripped my soul apart.

He stands holding my daughter’s hand, and I sit frozen in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, my mind spinning with countless questions.

Why has he returned now? What does he want? Does he know he’s Hope’s father? How would he know? I’ll never let him find out that Hope is our daughter. I won’t let him enter and ruin the life I’ve built over these five years.

What if he’s returned to snatch Hope away from me? The mere thought sends a chill down my spine, and my hand trembles in fright. The thought of losing my precious daughter is unimaginable. I can’t bear the thought of someone taking her away from me.

No, no. I won’t let him snatch my daughter from me.

Frantically, I shake my head and take a deep breath, gripping the steering wheel to regain my composure.

I can’t let myself fall weak. I’ll face Luke with determination and strength because I’m no longer the old Daisy.

After stepping out of the car, I approach them, my eyes filled with hatred towards Luke. Seeing him after five long years brings back all the painful memories: how he treated me, how I devoted myself to him like a blind lover, and how he rewarded me in the end by divorcing me and cheating on me. My chest becomes heavy with pain.

No, Daisy, no. Don’t cry. Please, not now.

I compose myself because I can’t fall weak in front of him and let him take advantage of my weakness again.

“Mommy.” Hope’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I pass her a small smile before shifting my gaze back to Luke.

As our eyes meet, it feels like everything else disappears around us. He still has power over me, but I can’t let it control me anymore. I square my shoulders and hold his gaze with pure hatred.

I can see his eyes are filled with shock. So, he wasn’t expecting me, and it also means he doesn’t know Hope is his daughter. I sigh with relief.

Thank God!

When I reach them, ignoring him, I hold Hope’s hand, my eyes fixed on her. “Let’s go home, Hopi.”

I glare at Luke, letting him know I’ll never allow him to take my daughter away from me. The fire in my eyes burns brightly, giving him a silent warning.

“Mommy, first meet Hope’s uncle.” As her cheerful voice reaches my ears, I lower my eyes and give her a slight nod, trying to act normal in front of her.

I summon the courage and raise my eyes to him. “Hello. Thanks for saving my daughter’s life.” I force the words out of my mouth, devoid of any genuine emotion, extending my hand for a handshake.

He lifts his hand to shake mine, keeping his eyes fixed on me. I can see a glimmer of guilt in his eyes and many more unreadable emotions. However, I no longer care about whatever emotions he has. I only know one thing: this person is a monster in disguise.

As his hand touches mine after five years, an electric current runs through my body, just like before.

Fuck! Why does this man still have so much power over me? I hate it.

I quickly withdraw my hand and avoid looking at him.

“Nice to meet you.” I hear his voice after so many years, and it still has the power to make my heart skip a beat.

My chest becomes heavy again with so many emotions, just from listening to his voice.

Don’t cry. Just don’t. Stay calm. You can’t let him affect you. You’re strong now.

I turn my attention toward Hope and lift her in my arms. “Hope, let’s go home now.” I turn to leave without glancing at Luke.

No matter how much I deny it, Luke’s presence still affects me and makes me weak.

“See you tomorrow, Uncle.” As I walk towards the car, carrying Hope in my arms, she waves at Luke and blows him a flying kiss.

My heart clenches, seeing Hope get attached to him. How did Luke captivate her so effortlessly? What kind of spell is he casting over my daughter?

But whatever it is, I’ll make sure he won’t come close to my daughter anymore. I won’t let them meet again.

I make Hope sit in the passenger seat of the car. “Hopi, you can play games on mommy’s phone. I’ll be right back.” I hand her my phone from my handbag.

Although I don’t want to, I must talk to Luke and warn him to stay away from my daughter.

Hope asks, “Where are you going?”

To make sure your beloved uncle can never see you again.

“I have some work to do.” I pass her a small smile, ruffling her hair.

“Can I go to Uncle?” Hope’s innocent request sends a surge of anger through me.

No. Never. You can never meet him again because he is a destruction.

“Hope, stay in the car until I come back,” I instruct her in a stern tone.

“Mommy-”

I cut her off, irritated. What magic has Luke done to her? I hate him even more now.

“Hope, aren’t you Mommy’s good girl?” I ask in a polite tone, placing my hand on her cheek.

“Yes, Mommy.” She gives me a meek nod. “I’m your good girl.”

“Then listen to me and stay inside.”

“Okay.” she pouts, slightly disappointed but willing to comply.

I lean in and kiss her forehead. “Mommy will be back soon.” I close the door and search for Luke.

When I see him opening his car door, I march towards him.

“Luke.” At the sound of my firm voice, he turns towards me. “Stay away from my daughter,” I warn him, pointing my finger and glaring at him.

“Is Hope my daughter, Daisy?” His question makes my heart pound in my chest.

Yes, she is your daughter, Luke. But you don’t deserve to know this.

“No. Hope is not your daughter,” I snap at him.

“You’re lying, Daisy. I can feel that Hope is my daughter. We have the same eye colour-”

I interject, folding my arms across my chest. “It’s just a coincidence. She isn’t your daughter. Just stay away from her, Luke.”

Before he can say anything else, I turn to leave. His presence is driving me insane like before, and I’m terrible at lying. If I stay with him any longer, he’ll surely catch my lie.

“I’ll never let him know Hope is his daughter because he doesn’t deserve her,” I murmur to myself before settling into the car.

As I start the car, Hope tells me excitedly, “Mommy, I made a high score in this game.”

I glance at her, plastering a smile on my face and stroking her hair before concentrating on the road.

“Mommy, did you like my uncle?” I freeze at Hope’s question.

Do I like her uncle, my ex-husband?

Once I loved him blindly, but now I despise him with all my heart.

“I know you also liked him because Hope likes him so much. He’s so nice. He bought me ice cream and spent time with me.” I try to maintain my calm, clenching the steering wheel as Hope blabbers about Luke nonstop.

I can’t bear my daughter talking and admiring the man who destroyed my life.

As I don’t respond, she shakes me. “Mommy, say something. Do you like my uncle? Why aren’t you saying anything? Mommy, talk to your Hope-”

I’ve had enough.

I lose my temper and snap at her, “Enough, Hope. Uncle this, Uncle that… just stop talking about him.” My voice is harsh, and I instantly regret my outburst when I see her shivering and the fear in her eyes.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I shouldn’t have yelled at her. It’s wrong. I can’t lose control like this.

After halting the car, I turn to face her, my heart breaking at the sight of tears streaming down her cheeks.

Shit! It’s the first time Hope is crying because of me. I feel like killing myself.

“I’m sorry, Hopi. I didn’t mean to-” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“Hope is angry, very angry, Mommy.” She folds her arms across her chest and turns her face away from me, her tears glistening in the sunlight.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Hope.” I lift my hand to wipe her tears, but she pulls away, refusing to meet my gaze.

What am I doing? I can’t let Luke ruin my relationship with Hope. I have to be strong and control my anger in front of her.

“Princess, please listen to your mommy,” I plead, holding my ears. “Mommy is sorry.”

“No, today Hope will not listen to her mommy.” She wipes her tears with the back of her hands, keeping her gaze fixed out of the window, pouting in anger.

I stare at her with my eyes filled with guilt and sorrow.

Luke has just stepped into our lives, and he has already started creating problems.

But I won’t let this happen anymore.

After taking a deep breath, I start the car again, determined to make things right once we reach home.