Chapter 6X
“Sit down,” she said, gesturing towards the sofa.
I sat down, feeling a little anxious. My mother sat down across from me, her eyes serious.
“Darcy, I know you’re still hurting from your divorce,” she said. “But I want you to think about something. Remember that man I wanted you to marry?”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You mean Liam’s friend?” I asked, trying to recall the man my mother had wanted me to marry.”
My mother nodded. “Yes, that’s the one. I know you didn’t want to marry him at the time, but I think you should consider him now. He’s a good man, Darcy. He would take care of you and Ethan.”
I felt a surge of surprise. I had never thought about that man in a romantic way after the divorce. But now, as I thought about it, I felt even more awkward.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Mom. I don’t want to marry again and get my heart broken by any man.” I said in an indifferent voice, “I don’t trust men anymore.”>
My mom let out an unpleasant sigh before she spoke, “I know where you are coming from. But, Darcy, you should consider Ethan. He is growing up and needs a father figure to look after him.“8
My mother’s words shook me from inside. I immediately asked my mother, “Am I not enough for him, Mom? Am I not fulfilling all his wishes a father would do? Why must he have a father?“>
“I know, dear,” My mom said, trying to convince me as she continued, “You have raised him really well and I’m sure you would do best for him in future as well. But, you…?”
“Mom, please…” I cut her off, “Let’s not talk about this right now.“>
Just then, Ethan walked into the room, his big brown eyes scanning the space until they landed on me. “Mommy!” he exclaimed, running towards me.”
I scooped him up in my arms, feeling a sense of joy as he curled into my lap.
“Hey, baby boy!” I said while kissing his cheek.
Ethan looked up at me with a serious expression before he said in a voice filled with innocence and longing,“Mommy, I want a daddy,”
My heart melted at his words. I had been so focused on raising Ethan on my own that I hadn’t thought about how he might feel about not having a father. It was the moment I realized no matter how much I do for him, I could never be his father. He needed both, mother and father like every other child.ž
“I know, baby boy,” I said, hugging him tight before I said casually to avoid the conversion, “We’ll find you a daddy someday, okay?” Ethan nodded, his eyes sparkling with hope. “I want a daddy who will play with me and take me to the park,” he said.}
I smiled, feeling a sense of determination. I would find Ethan a good father, someone who would love and care for him.
My mother watched us with a warm smile. “I think it’s time we start looking for a father for Ethan, don’t you, Darcy?” she said.”
I nodded, in agreement. It was time for Ethan to have a father, and it was time for me to move on from my past.
But little did I know, my past was about to come back and haunt me in ways I never could have imagined.
***
I walked into the orphanage, Ethan’s hand clasped tightly in mine. Today was his birthday, and I had decided to celebrate it with the children here. I had always believed in teaching Ethan the value of giving back, and what could be the better way to do that than by spending his special day with those who were less fortunate?
As we entered the main hall, I was greeted by the warm smiles of the children and the caregivers. We had brought cake, balloons, and gifts, and the kids were thrilled.
But as I began to distribute the gifts and sing “Happy Birthday” with the children, I noticed a commotion at the other end of the hall. A group of people had arrived, and they seemed to be celebrating a birthday as well.
My eyes scanned the group, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw Harris, whom I had almost forgotten in these three years, standing amidst the crowd. He was smiling and laughing, and his eyes sparkled with warmth as he handed out gifts to the children, taking pictures with every gift being distributed by the media.
But what caught my attention was the little girl standing by his side. She was around Ethan’s age, with curly brown hair and big brown eyes. Harris was holding her hand, and he seemed to be completely enamored with her.”
It didn’t take time in identifying the girl as beside her was standing Cindy, holding Harris’s arms affectionately.
As I watched, Harris leaned down and kissed the little girl’s forehead, saying something that made her giggle then again wrapping Cindy’s waist, giving poses for the media to cover. The scene was so tender and intimate that I felt like an intruder, watching something I shouldn’t be seeing.%
I turned away, and decided to take Ethan out of there. But, before I could get away, a media person clicked me before making an announcement, “Isn’t it Mr. Harris Salvador’s Ex wife? Omg, Mr. Harris’s Ex wife and current girlfriend in the same frame! It will be a headline for tomorrow.”
Suddenly, all the media focused on me, leaving Harris and Cindy sideways.
“Darcy…” Harris whispered before he brushed Cindy’s hands off and rushed up to me, asking excitedly, “Darcy, I have been looking for you for three years. Where have you been these years? Do you know how worried I was for you?“!
