radicalducati Chapter 617: I Have A Daddy Now
Chapter 617: I Have A Daddy Now
“Michael? What are you doing here?” Sophia asked in a cautious tone.
With the finals coming up, Sophia hardly had any time for Elaine. The little girl often complained that her mother never played with her.
It had taken effort for Sophia to bring Elaine to the sports park today, and just her luck, she ran into Michael.
Not long ago, it had seemed like Michael might disappear from Sophia’s life for good, making her believe that whatever Dave had told him had actually worked.
But now, it was clear that even Dave couldn’t make Michael back off.
Michael forced an awkward smile. He had come to see Sophia, but the meeting was nothing like he’d imagined.
When Sophia turned away in anger, Michael hurried forward, his voice urgent. “Sophia, don’t misunderstand. Just give me a moment to explain. Please…”
She spun back to face him, her eyes blazing. “Michael, can you stop saying the same thing every time you show up? It’s always about how I need to hear your explanation. Fine, today, you get your chance.”
Elaine, who had been standing quietly beside Sophia, instinctively stepped back and stayed silent.
The murmurs of the crowd floated around them.
“See? He really is here to pick up his kid. And his wife… she’s so graceful. I’m sure I’ve seen her before.”
“Even the most handsome men have their issues. Look at them, the moment they meet, it’s like a battlefield.”
“What’s the point of arguing in front of the child? Look at her, she’s so silent. I bet she doesn’t want to see any of this.”
“The kid must have gotten her looks from her father, she’s beautiful.”
Those words lingered in Elaine’s mind. She glanced at Michael, wondering if life would be different if he were her father. Maybe then, she’d finally have someone to play with.
Other men had visited her mother before, but this one felt different. Her mother always said he couldn’t seem to stay away. That had to mean he cared about her, didn’t it?
Elaine had never had a father. Deep down, she wanted one more than anything.
Michael cleared his throat, looking anxious. “I just got back today. I happened to be passing by. My car’s over there…” He gestured toward it. “I just wanted to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.”
Sophia’s eyes turned cold as she cut him off. “Michael, have you forgotten how to lie? Who goes out to exercise in a suit? Your house is miles from here. Out of all the places you could be, you just happen to show up here?”
Her words were sharp, cutting through the air. “Can you just leave me alone? I’m trying to spend the day with Elaine—”
Before she could finish, Elaine suddenly ran forward and grabbed Michael’s hand. “Are you going to the park too?”
Michael froze, looking down at her. His voice softened. “Yeah.”
“Great! Will you play with me?” Elaine asked, her voice light and sweet, almost pleading.
Michael froze, surprised. He looked down at her, and her hopeful eyes stirred an unfamiliar warmth in him. Before he could think, he agreed.
“Okay. I’ll play with you.”
“Elaine.” Sophia hadn’t expected her daughter to react so fast. She reached out to pull her back. “Let go. Mommy will play with you.”
“No, I want him to play with me. He said yes.”
Elaine’s voice was firm as she held onto Michael’s hand and started to walk away.
Sophia’s heart jolted. She hadn’t expected Elaine to side with Michael.
“Listen, Elaine…” she tried again and her voice was filled with desperation.
“No! I want him to play with me.” Elaine looked up at Michael. “Can you be my dad just today? I don’t have a dad…”
Her words were barely louder than the breeze, yet they struck Sophia and Michael with the force of a heavy blow.
Michael stood frozen, his chest tightening with a wave of sadness. He thought of his own childhood, when his father had been a distant, absent figure. The loneliness he had felt then… it was the same loneliness he now saw in Elaine’s eyes.
I’ve failed as a father, he thought bitterly.
Guilt swelled inside him, and in that moment, he made a silent vow. He wouldn’t let Elaine grow up without a father’s love. Somehow, he would make it right.
Elaine’s words caught Sophia off guard. Deep down, she couldn’t ignore the guilt eating at her. The thought of Elaine growing up without a father hurt like a splinter that wouldn’t go away.
“Of course I can,” Michael said with a warm smile, scooping Elaine up as if she were light as air. “Come on, let’s have some fun.”
Sophia stood still for a moment, watching Elaine sitting high on Michael’s shoulders, her eyes shining with excitement.
“This is so high!” Elaine squealed, her voice full of joy. “Mommy, come play with us too!”
Sophia’s chest tightened with worry. She hurried forward, supporting Elaine’s back, her hand ready in case she slipped. “This is too dangerous.”
Seeing how tense she was, Michael carefully helped Elaine down from his shoulders.
Once she was on the ground, Elaine grabbed Michael’s hand with one of hers and Sophia’s with the other, joining them together.
“Hold hands with Daddy and Mommy!” she said, her eyes shining with innocence.
Sophia started to speak but stopped herself. She couldn’t bring herself to shatter Elaine’s little world, so she stayed quiet and held the girl’s tiny hand.
Michael smiled like a boy, his grip on Elaine’s hand almost possessive, as if he was afraid Sophia might take her away.
The three of them, walking hand in hand, looked like a perfect family. Passersby slowed down, smiling at the sight.
“What a lovely family of three.”
“This little girl is so lucky to have both her parents with her.”
Elaine’s smile widened, her heart full. She hadn’t felt this happy in a long time.
From the very first moment she met Michael, she had felt it, a pull, a connection that lit up the moment their eyes met.
"Michael, I told you already, I’m spending the day with Elaine. Don’t read too much into it," Sophia said, her voice carrying both frustration and a hint of resignation. She didn’t want anything to ruin this rare time with Elaine.
"Mommy, don’t talk to Daddy like that," Elaine said softly, almost pleading. "I’m so happy today, I have a daddy now!"