Chapter 11Elijah,My phone kept vibrating while I was listening to something my peer said and I frowned and then flipped it over trying to focus on what the man was saying.This was a very important meeting and I need to close this deal. This will help me expand the company and make me spread worldwide.My company wasn’t small, but it wasn’t international yet and even though I work in international trade, my company didn’t reach that far.I have worked with companies in the Middle East and North America and now I want to have a foot in Asia and China is the perfect place to lay out the foundation for such a step.The man stopped, and he gave me a nod and I nodded back because this was going great. I opened my mouth to comment on what he just said, but then my phone buzzed again. Robb held my phone and checked it while I answered some of the questions that were addressed to me and asked about my company policy.But then Robb showed me the phone, and I saw Angela’s name on the caller

Chapter 13Elijah,I watched the sunrise from where I was standing on my balcony and shivered from how cold it was right now.I watched the sun grow and the colors change and after a moment I closed my eyes and pulled my mask down to feel the cold breeze and the warmth tickle my face.It has been a while since I came outside here and did this. It had been our thing before, and after Diana left us, I stopped watching the start of the day and felt the light chase away the darkness.It always brought peace to my mind and soul, but after the accident, it reminded me of my loss and how it happened, and who was the reason behind it.It reminded me of how shitty I was as a person and how I was a waste of air. It should have been me who died that night.My wife and daughter deserve better. Their only fault was accepting me into their life and letting me taint it with my darkness.I opened my eyes when it became warmer and I gripped the balcony railing tightly that my knuckles turned white.Th

Chapter 15Elijah,My eyes opened, and I became alert the moment my bedroom door burst open and I heard the sniffles of my daughter as she rushed toward me. I became tense as I tried to search for my mask or open the lamp beside me, and panic was creeping into my chest when the footsteps grew closer.“It is ok. You don’t need to light the room. We can see clearly from the faint light from the opened door, but we can’t see your face.”Willow said quietly, and even though I was ashamed of myself, I sighed in relief because I didn’t want either of them to see my face.“Papa.”Angela cried softly as she climbed on top of the bed, then crawled to where I was as she felt her way in the dark.I pulled her to my chest and her crying rose in volume the moment my arms wrapped around her small, shaky body.“What happened Angel? Why aren’t you asleep?”I asked her as I began to stroke her back soothingly and she buried her face in my chest and I felt her drenched cheeks soak me.“I saw a nightma

Chapter 17Willow,“Mama, MAMA.”Angel cried out, calling for me and I sighed as I went to her walk in closet to check on her. She has been there for over fifteen minutes and so far she hasn’t settled on a single outfit.The girl was so excited to go out with her father and she couldn’t stay calm at all. But she is facing a problem with what to wear.God, girls these days are scary. I just put on some old jeans jumpsuit and called it a day already, but she has been throwing clothes left and right.“You will wear that?!”She said cocking her head to the side, frowning, and I felt self conscious now. I mean, it’s big, loose and comfortable. I thought it would be perfect for this, but now seeing those judgemental eyes, I wasn’t sure anymore.“Yes, I think I will be comfortable in them. Are…..do I look horrible?”I asked her fidgeting, and the girl looked up at me, my face, and my hair. My small tank top, then my jeans, and I wanted to run away.“No, this is perfect actually, you know wha

Chapter 19Willow, “Mama.”“Mama.”“Mama.”Angela called my name for the millionth time today, and I turned around to look at her as she sat on top of a small table at the end of the kitchen.Today I decided to visit the restaurant, and she cried and threw a tantrum so I had to take her with me, of course, after her father allowed it.“Yes, angel. What is it?”I asked her patiently as I put what I was doing on a counter and went to where she was sitting, fidgeting. I knew that this would happen, but she insisted on coming with me.“When are you going to be done here? I want to go home. Papa said he would come and take us back when he was done with his work, but you two are taking so long.”The little girl whined and sighed, so I kissed her face and hugged her a little. She seemed so tired and bored at the same time.“Do you want to go to my apartment for a little nap? I will send your guards with you, too.”I asked hopefully, and she shook her head against my chest, then pushed me aw