CHAPTER 85: Dad 

Alaia 

We managed to sleep during the trip; we were exhausted. I opened my eyes and looked at my children, reflecting on these past two years, especially on the day he asked for a divorce. I 

remembered his look–there was the answer. I shook my head. How could I not have seen it? I 

gently stroked Alana’s curls and held Noah’s hand, the fruits of our love. 

The flight landed in Los Angeles, and we went directly to Nick’s house. 

My children were still asleep in the car. When we arrived, I hurried toward the door. 

I pressed my hands together and wiped them on my pants. Damn, I was too nervous. 

The loud chime of the doorbell echoed inside. I couldn’t see anyone, and my anxiety made me 

ring again. 

My heart stopped when I heard footsteps and saw a figure through the etched glass, though I 

couldn’t see clearly. 

The door opened, and I saw Sophia, who smiled kindly. 

“Good morning,” I said, my throat suddenly dry. It was difficult for me to be this Alaia, the one 

who could no longer contain her emotions. 

“Good morning,” she smiled faintly. 

“The sir is not home. He hasn’t returned from his trip,” she said, knowing I had come for Nick. 

My body tensed. What do you mean he hasn’t returned? 

“That’s impossible. He got back before me,” I said, feeling confused. 

She frowned. “One moment, please,” she said. 

I nodded and took out my phone. I considered calling him, but no–he deserved more than just a phone call. 

“Aly?” Ash whispered, and I turned to look at them. 

I shook my head in response to their silent questions. Tino clutched his chest, making a sad 

face. 

“Miss, we couldn’t locate him. I called, but he hasn’t answered any of the calls.” 

“This can’t be happening,” I whispered, closing my eyes. 

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CHAPTER 85: Dad 

Heartbroken, I thanked her and turned to head back to the car. 

I was about to step into the vehicle when I heard a word. 

“Seattle,” Sophia said, and I turned to look at her. 

“It’s his favorite place after you and the kids,” she said, and I smiled at her words. 

“I don’t have the address. He keeps it closely guarded, and I’ve only been there once,” she explained, and I understood what she meant. 

“Thank you. If you hear from him, please call me immediately,” I smiled sincerely. 

“I will,” she responded, and I turned away. 

I got into the car and headed home. The children needed a bath, something to eat, and rest. 

The past few days had been exhausting for all of us. 

They had lunch and then went back to sleep. 

I made calls trying to locate Nick, even calling Will, but there was no response. 

I sat on a chair in my room, lost in thought. The only thing I was sure of was that I needed to 

go where he was. My mind raced until an image came to me. 

I called Cedric, but he didn’t answer, so I left a message and waited for him to call back. 

The afternoon passed with no news, until my phone rang while I was with the kids. 

“Cedric,” I answered quickly. 

“Aly, are you okay? I barely managed to call you.” 

“Yes, everything’s fine,” I said, wondering how things had ended. 

“Everything is under control, so far,” he said, and I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. 

“You asked for Dominic’s address in Seattle. I found the documents, and I’m sending you all 

the information,” he said, and I smiled, biting my lip. 

“Thank you,” I said, almost breathless. 

“Just go after that i***t. I’ll call you later,” he said before ending the call. 

I put the phone down somewhere and went to the closet. I needed something to wear to see 

the man I loved. 

“I found him!” I shouted to Ash and Tino, who were with my children. 

“Oh, mother of love, this is so romantic. We’ll get the kids ready. It’s going to be a beautiful 

reunion,” Tino said as they all entered my room. 

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CHAPTER 85: Dad 

“My little darlings, you have to look very handsome to go see Daddy,” he said as they climbed 

onto the bed, giving him their full attention. 

I chose a long, sand–colored knit dress and high suede winter boots. I prepared the coats for 

me and the children, and once we were ready, we rushed out of the house. I hugged my cousin 

and Tino at the door. 

“Bye–bye, uncles!” my children said, waving their little hands. 

“So adorable!” Tino melted and blew them kisses. 

The three–hour flight felt like an eternity. My children ate during the trip, and I felt the 

adrenaline rising in my stomach as we landed in the city. 

We got into a car I rented at the airport, and I gave the driver directions to the house. 

The vehicle stopped just as a white truck was pulling out. I hoped it wasn’t Nick. 

I rang the doorbell, and a woman looked at us through the screen before allowing us to enter, 

immediately charmed by my beautiful companions. 

The car drove in, and I noticed the door was open, but no one was there to greet us. I found it 

strange, given that I had seen the girl who let us in. 

I entered, holding my children’s hands, and I could feel that the temperature inside was more 

comfortable. 

I took off my scarf and coat, did the same with the kids‘ coats, and placed them on a piece of furniture. I stood up, looking around the house, unsure where to go. I could only hope Nick was. 

here. I had taken a leap of faith in coming here. 

“Mama, Dom,” Noah pointed toward the stairs. I leaned down to him and smiled, caressing 

both their cheeks. 

“Take me to Dom, my loves,” I whispered, and they nodded. I took their hands and exhaled deeply before taking the first step. 

***** 

Nick 

I got on the plane, and to my dismay, her “I do” echoed in my head over and over. 

It was the only thing I could think about during the entire trip. Will remained silent, as I had 

asked him to. 

“I want to go to Seattle,” I told my cousin. 

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CHAPTER 85: Dad 

“Alright, I’ll go with you.” 

I asked the captain to make the necessary changes to the flight itinerary. 

We landed in the rainy city in the middle of the night. We went directly to my father’s house. Will went to one of the rooms and quickly fell asleep. I took a shower and then went to my 

father’s room. I watched him for several minutes. The equipment was already connected to 

him, including a pair of robotic gloves that helped move his fingers and hands. It would speed 

up his recovery once he woke up. Sometimes I felt like I was being too optimistic. 

I went back to my room, but the nightmare of Alaia getting married kept playing in my head. 

Now I knew exactly how she felt when she saw me marry Barbara. 

I rubbed my face and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to survive the pain in my 

chest. I closed my eyes, and the weight of three sleepless days finally knocked me out. 

I woke up feeling like I had lived through a bad dream, but reality hit me again when I saw that 

I was in my father’s house, not lying in bed next to her. 

I took another shower and dressed in black pants, a white button–down shirt, a gray knit 

sweater, and honey–colored shoes. 

I went through the day in a daze, staring at my lunch plate but not eating. 

“You need to pull yourself together. The same girl has wrecked you twice. Though the first 

time wasn’t her fault, that didn’t stop you from being dead inside for two years. Maybe it’s time 

to move on,” William said, crossing his arms as he looked at me. 

Move on? How do I do that without her? How do I do that if I’m going to see her in another 

man’s arms? 

I didn’t say anything to my cousin, but I appreciated that he was there with me. 

“You can go back to Los Angeles,” I said, putting my fork down, untouched. 

“And leave you here feeling miserable? No way, man. I’ll go for a walk around the city maybe, 

but I’ll be back,” he said, standing up and heading out. He showed me his phone before 

leaving. 

I didn’t even know where my phone was. I just wanted to disconnect from everything and 

everyone. 

I went up to my father’s room and started talking to him about my failed plan to win back the 

woman I loved. As usual, there was no response. 

“Nick.” I turned to the door and saw my father’s doctor removing a scarf from his neck. 

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CHAPTER 85: Dad 

“Martin.” I stood up and shook his hand. 

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he said, placing his things on a dresser. 

“I needed to see him,” I said, and he nodded. 

“I’m glad you came,” he said, turning on his iPad. “We’ve seen slight improvements.” The news left me speechless, so I just looked at him. 

“His body has responded to the treatment. It’s a matter of time to see if we can achieve. significant changes,” he said, and I rubbed my beard, unable to believe it. 

Martin examined my father while I felt a glimmer of hope. 

“Everything is in order. If there’s any change, call me, and I’ll come immediately,” he said, preparing to leave. 

“Thank you, Martin,” I said before he left the room. 

I poured myself a drink and sipped it, feeling like a masochist as 

I thought about the last night I spent with her. I remembered how her skin felt in my hands, on my lips. I just wanted to hold on to those memories. 

I walked to the side window of my father’s room. The view overlooked the trees, and I watched 

the rain, listening to its relaxing sound. 

I sighed, wondering, **How do you get rid of the pain?** 

I took another sip and placed the glass on the dresser beside the window, closing my eyes. 

“Daddy…” I thought I heard a sweet voice.