The Daughter He Never Knew

PART 2 — THE FATHER WHO CAME TOO LATE

“Mommy, are we leaving?”

Lily’s small voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I brushed her hair away from her forehead and nodded.

“Yes, sweetheart. We have to go.”

But before I could take another step, Vincent moved in front of us.

“Claire, please. Just five minutes.”

I looked at him coldly.

“You had five years to find me. You had five years to remember the woman you married. Don’t ask me for five minutes now.”

His jaw tightened.

“I didn’t know you were pregnant.”

“You didn’t ask.”

“I searched everywhere!”

I laughed bitterly.

“You searched because I disappeared. But when I was standing beside you, begging you to tell me the truth, you couldn’t even look me in the eyes.”

Vincent fell silent.

One of his bodyguards approached cautiously.

“Boss, the car is ready.”

“Cancel everything,” Vincent ordered without looking away from me.

Then he crouched in front of Lily.

“Hello again, princess.”

Lily hid behind my leg.

“Mommy, is he angry with us?”

Vincent’s expression softened.

“No, sweetheart. I’m not angry.”

“Then why do you look sad?”

For the first time, Vincent seemed unable to find the right words.

He glanced at me.

“Because I’ve missed something very important.”

I took Lily’s hand.

“We’re leaving.”

This time, Vincent didn’t stop us.

But as I walked away, I heard him whisper something that made my heart ache.

“She’s really mine…”

I didn’t turn around.

That evening, Emma and I checked into a quiet hotel downtown. I had barely finished unpacking when someone knocked.

Emma looked through the peephole.

Her face changed.

“Claire. It’s Vincent.”

My stomach tightened.

“Don’t open it.”

But Lily had already run toward the door.

“Mommy, is that the man from the airport?”

Before I could stop her, Vincent’s voice came through.

“Claire, I brought something for Lily. I promise I won’t stay long.”

Emma looked at me, waiting for my decision.

Finally, I opened the door.

Vincent stood there without his usual intimidating entourage. In his hands was a small pink teddy bear.

“I thought she might like this,” he said.

Lily peeked around my side.

“For me?”

Vincent nodded.

“If you want it.”

She accepted the teddy bear with a shy smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Vincent.”

His expression changed.

“Just Vincent?”

Lily giggled.

“My mommy says I shouldn’t call strangers by their first names.”

Vincent looked at me.

“She’s not a stranger, sweetheart,” I replied. “But she’s also not someone you can suddenly claim after five years.”

He swallowed hard.

“I understand.”

Then he looked at Lily again.

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

I immediately answered, “No.”

But Lily tugged at my sleeve.

“Mommy, can he come to my birthday party?”

Vincent froze.

“When is your birthday?”

I closed my eyes.

I had forgotten that he didn’t even know.

“Next week,” Lily answered happily.

Vincent slowly nodded.

“Then I hope I can give you a present.”

I wanted to refuse.

But looking at Lily’s excited face, I couldn’t bring myself to take away her innocent curiosity.

“One visit,” I said firmly. “And I will be there the entire time.”

Vincent nodded.

“One visit is enough for now.”

As he turned to leave, he stopped.

“Claire, I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I want to know my daughter.”

I stared at him.

“Then start by learning how to be someone she can trust.”

He walked away without another word.

I closed the door and leaned against it.

I thought seeing Vincent again would reopen an old wound.

I hadn’t expected it to awaken something even more frightening.

Hope.