My Ex-wife, My Destination

Luke’s P. O. V.

I cancelled my meeting and came to meet Hope after school. Yesterday, I decided to keep myself away from Daisy and Hope because I didn’t want to hurt Daisy any further. But when I heard Hope’s voice message this morning, I couldn’t stop myself from coming to see my little princess.

I’m certain Daisy will freak out when she sees me today, but for my princess, I can bear anything.

I stand, leaning against the car, my eyes glued to the main gate of the school. It’s been more than eight hours since I last saw Hope, and I’m longing to see her.

Finally, I spot her emerging from the school gate, her backpack bouncing against her as she runs towards me with excitement.

A smile spreads across my face as I open my arms, kneeling on the road. I don’t care about my jeans getting dirty; I just want to wrap my little princess in my warm arms.

She throws her arms around me. “Daddy, Hope missed you so much.”

“I missed you more, kiddo.” I hold her close with a contented smile on my face, cherishing the feeling of her in my arms.

“Daddy, you know today Hope is sad and also happy.” She tells me as I lift her in my arms after standing up. “I’m happy because I finally told all my friends that I got my daddy.”

My smile widens at her innocent words. I can’t express in words what I feel every time Hope calls me ‘Daddy’ in her sweet voice.

“I’m glad you’re happy, baby.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “But why are you sad?”

Before she can tell me anything, I hear an unfamiliar female voice from behind me. “Hope, who is he?”

As I turn around, I see a woman in her fifties standing a few feet away, her brows furrowed in confusion. I look at her, equally baffled.

Who is she?

“Granny, he is my daddy,” Hope tells her, causing her frown to deepen.

Granny? Why is Hope calling her that? She isn’t Daisy’s mother.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Daddy? Hope, what are you saying?” She asks, approaching closer.

“Didn’t Mommy tell you that Hope has finally found her daddy? He is the best.” Hope plants a kiss on my cheek. “Whenever I call him, he comes to meet me. You know what, Granny, my daddy is a superhero. He saved me twice.” Then Hope explains properly how I saved her.

The lady looks at me with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Mister…” she pauses, unsure of what to call me.

“I’m Luke Anderson,” I introduce myself.

“Mr. Anderson, I’m glad you protected Hope twice.” She smiles, and I return the smile in response.

“It’s my pleasure. Hope means the world to me.” I answer, keeping my gaze filled with affection fixed on Hope. She truly means the world to me. I’m willing to spend the rest of my life keeping my princess safe.

I turn my gaze towards the lady and ask, “And you’re Hope’s granny?”

“I’m Eva, Daisy’s friend,” she tells me with a smile, and I nod in response.

“Now Daddy, listen to me.” Hope places her hands on my face and turns it towards her. “Hopi wanted to tell you that Mommy got a new job, and now Mommy and Hopi will only meet in the evening.” She pouts sadly at me. “That’s why I’m sad.”

Now I understand why Eva came to pick her up instead of Daisy.

Daisy got a job.

Now I understand why she became so stressed in the car yesterday. It must be so hard for her to make this decision, leaving Hope alone for the entire day.

How do I explain to her that now she doesn’t need to work so hard because I’m here to take care of them? She doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore. It’s time for her to take some rest and leave everything to me. I just hope she gives me a chance to take away all her problems.

“Hey, it’s okay, Hope.” I give her a reassuring smile, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Mommy is just going to be working during the day, but in the evening, she’ll spend time with you.”

She gives me a slight smile. “Okay, Daddy. But Hope will miss Mommy during the day.”

“Then I’ll be here to keep you company during the day,” I say, tapping her nose.

Her eyes brighten up at my words. “Really, Daddy? You’ll spend the entire day with Hope?” she asks, her eyes filled with excitement.

“Yes, princess. Now happy?” I raise my brows at her.

“Super duper happy, Daddy. I love you so much.” She squeals with glee, giving me a tight hug and bringing a smile to my face.

I know when Daisy gets to know this, she’ll lose her temper. However, right now, Hope’s happiness is all that matters to me.

“Let’s go home now, Hope,” Eva says, stroking her hair.

Hope asks her, “Can Daddy join us?”

“Of course, sweetheart, he can.” She places a kiss on Hope’s cheek.

We reach Eva’s apartment in no time, with Hope bubbling with enthusiasm to spend time with me. Even I’m excited to take care of my daughter for the entire day.

I help Hope changing her clothes while Eva goes to the kitchen to prepare lunch for her. Thank God, she is letting me stay with Hope.

***

Daisy’s P. O. V.

I settle into my desk, surrounded by stacks of manuscripts and books. I’m enjoying the work, but missing Hope.

As I glance at the time on my phone, I realise it’s already past noon. Hope must be home from school by now.

As I pick up my phone to call Aunt Eva to ask about Hope, I get a call from her.

I immediately answer it, “Hello, Aunt. I hope my little Hopi isn’t bothering you.”

“Of course not, Daisy. But why didn’t you tell me about Luke Anderson?” As she mentions Luke, I freeze.

How did she come to know about him? Did he come to meet Hope after school? Shit, I shouldn’t have joined the job. Now Luke will snatch my daughter from me. How will I live without Hope?

“Daisy, are you there?” Aunt Eva’s words pull me back to reality.

“How do you know about him?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady while fidgeting with my necklace.

She answers, “He came to meet Hope after school, and I brought him to my apartment.”

I freak out. “Aunt, you should’ve called me before bringing Luke to your apartment.” I almost shout, catching everyone’s attention around me.

“Daisy, what’s the matter? Who is Luke?” She asks in a serious tone.

“Luke is my ex-husband. Hope’s biological father. I’m certain he has returned to snatch my daughter from me. Please keep him away from Hope.” As I request her, my eyes well up with tears.

I should have informed her about Luke earlier. I can’t afford to lose Hope.

“Daisy, calm down.” Aunt Eva tries to calm me down, but it’s not helping. “Luke seems genuinely concerned about Hope, and from what I’ve seen, they share a beautiful bond.”

I shake my head, afraid to lose Hope. “You don’t understand, Aunt. Luke isn’t a person to be trusted. He divorced me when I needed him the most, and now he has no right to come back and disrupt our lives.”

“Daisy, I understand that you’re scared, but you need to trust me when I say that Luke seems like a good man. He’s been nothing but kind and attentive to Hope since he arrived.”

I want to believe her, I really do. But the wounds from the past are so deep. I can’t trust Luke.

“Please, Aunt Eva,” I plead, my voice trembling. “Just promise me you’ll keep him away from Hope. I can’t bear the thought of losing her.”

“Daisy, don’t worry. Hope is safe with me. You focus on your job. We’ll talk about this when you return home.”

With a heavy heart, I reluctantly agree. “Okay, Aunt. But please, keep me updated about everything.”

“I will, Daisy,” she reassures me. “And don’t worry too much. I’ll make sure everything is okay.”

I hang up the phone, but the knot of fear and worry in my stomach refuses to loosen. Luke is trying to snatch my daughter from me. I can clearly see this. But why is Aunt Eva defending him?