Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Her eyes watered.
I didn't know if I was imagining it or not, but I saw a tumult of emotions spinning in her mind—pain, love, shock, confusion.
But beneath it all, I prayed that there was a flicker of hope, a tiny flame of possibility that I yearned to nurture.
The silence in the room grew heavy.
Was it all the unspoken words rising in the space? The unshed tears?
And what does my baby girl think?
I lowered my gaze to Carmen.
Did she sense the gravity of the moment?
She continued to cling to Zuri's leg, yet those adorable little eyes darted between us.
She hasn't left Zuri. Is she scared of me?
I had to admit that with my height and presence, I was looming over them. It must have cast an unintended shadow of intimidation.
It was probably why Zuri kept that protective stance.
I have to change this.
To ease the tension, I slowly knelt down to the ground.
In this moment, kneeling before them, I was not just lowering my physical stature; I was also stripping away the layers of pride and ego that had kept me from seeing the true strength of staying in touch with her.
Zuri quirked her brows. “What are you doing?”
“Being less scary.” I kept an odd balance on my knees. “Does that make you more comfortable?”
Carmen giggled and bobbed her head. “Now you are little.”
Meanwhile, Zuri maintained the protective stance. She—more than anyone—knew how fast I could be if I wanted to get to someone.
She glared. “Why didn't you let me know that you were coming? You had my address from all my letters. I don't like surprises and I don't like to walk in my place and just see a giant in the living room.”
Carmen widened her eyes and watched me as if taking note of what I would say and how I would deliver the words.
It was clear that Zuri didn't play as a single mother and expected unwavering obedience.
“I understand. When I. . .returned to Earth, I had. . .other plans and then, I ended up here. . .”
Zuri leaned her head to the side. “What?”
“I can explain more. . .later.” I did a small nod toward Carmen, letting Zuri know that I didn't want to get into the heavy details around our daughter. “However, I know I might seem... a bit much right now. But I want you both to know, I'm not here to bring any trouble or pain.”
Zuri watched me. Her expression was unreadable, and her silence spoke volumes. It was as if she was weighing every word, every gesture.
Fuck. It is going to be hard to get her back.
As I knelt there, looking into their eyes, I was struck by a profound realization. Despite my physical size and the imposing frame, in this moment, Zuri and Carmen were the true giants in the room.
They held the power, not just over the situation, but over my heart, my soul. . .everything.
I let out a long breath. “Today, I've learned a lot about what's important, about what really matters.”
I shifted my gaze between them.
Carmen's innocent eyes—filled with a mix of curiosity and caution—peered at me.
What's going on in her mind? Is she trying to piece together the image of the father she had only known through stories.
I put my view back on Zuri. Strong and protective, her stance served as a clear barrier between me and the life I had ignored through not opening her letters.
I swallowed again. “And. . .I realized that you two are the most important part of my life, and I would never do anything to hurt you or put you in danger. That's a promise.”
Carmen, still at Zuri's side, began to loosen her grip on her mother's leg.
She's just like Zuri.
I could see Carmen studying me with the same intense scrutiny that Zuri had always possessed.
Jesus Christ. This is hard.
I was a man who had always relied on physical strength and intimidation to navigate this cruel world, but here, in the presence of my daughter and the woman I loved, I felt utterly powerless.
It was a humbling experience.
I had faced dangerous men and survived, yet the gaze of a little girl and her mother unraveled me completely.
Shit.
I stared at Zuri. “I am at your mercy and hoping for your forgiveness, and. . .I'm longing for a chance to rebuild what I have broken.”
Carmen took a further step away from her mom. “What's mercy, Daddy?”
My heart ached at the word Daddy.
That's me. She's talking to me.
It took a few seconds to gather myself.
I blinked. “Umm. . .”
Zuri watched me as if this were some big test that I needed to pass.
Perhaps, it was.
Meanwhile, Carmen's innocent question cut through the thick air of tension.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the simplest way to explain a concept that, until now, I hadn't fully grasped myself. “So. . .mercy is like a special kind of kindness. It's when someone has the power to punish or be angry at you because you made a mistake, but instead, they choose to forgive and understand. It's about giving someone a second chance, even when they might not deserve it.”