to my feet, staring as

I com

he room, his imposing build

ted, an excited, welcoming

n both hands, I was briefly c

you,

e bags on the small table n

find my pla

t." He turned to Hav

ghter explained, her keen eye

mething edible. Did he buy foo

now?" He questioned, a bit o

Yes. It wasn't so

. He opened one of the bags and handed me some

the anger and bitterness i

was still extending the

your responsibility to buy me things.

"Still stubborn as the

my already present anger, not to mention, sadness. "I

exhaled. "I'm sorry. I said that for Zoey's benefit. Pl

life and people to actually believe anyone anymore.

o open one o

ahlia. You know me

wn ever since. I can take care of myself and my daughter. Haven, do not touch any of th

, she quietly left the bags

e stubborn, Dahlia. Y

No, I do not! So please, if I can not be worthy of

ent was the ruffling of the gift wrapper as h

Long ago, this would have been the kind of phone I'd be using. Well

hone." He said, exte

told yo

ut on a guilty smile when

cted when Zoey was around and the thi

aking care of Haven and saving for her future which was a diffe

een orbs were si

s strange effect on me. Alway

"Thank you.

Haven opened the

en, alongside new clothes and shoes. A new custom-mad

o bags containing food - five star kind - enough for fiv

nd cups for the carton

t restaurant?" He asked, fo

ed. "Job

sit

assistant or waitress. But it doesn't mat

ger doesn't have the fi

that connection anymore." I was tr

d your salary will be discussed." He was so casual

heer me up, so I managed

, Dahlia. Yo

n chewing the next forkful of pasta. "What d

I know myself. Well,

e the

sn't arrogant. It was

ich had Za

face because he gave a soft laugh.

od. She was multitasking - eating and playing with he

uestion dragged my attention away

want me to."

d okay to you?" H

s Thursday. Well, I couldn't argue

en come watch me play? Front row seats, I prom

g about soccer. Two, I do n

r support, I'd like to really have you there. Also, two,

aking carbs for fear of gaining weight. She always wanted to model

am was long buried. Ensuring my daughter

e play on Saturday?" He asked Haven

come. I hope the tickets won't be expen

nd Mommy are special guests. You don'

. We'

o bubble through my mouth. My daughter was making

usting her words." He turned frien

, fine.

I couldn't stop staring. It was bedazz

ugh, Zac. I can

o because it's a

head cr

n envelope and handed it to me. Cur

my head. "No. No. I can not accep

se your daughter t

as understating. "I...

't come this far only to have her taken from

ars. "But a fully