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I let out a bitter laugh. "That's probably the most honest thing you've ever said to me."
"Look, Drix," he starts, eying me cautiously, "I know this isn't what you want for Daisy. It isn't what I want either, but there's nothing I can do to prevent the inevitable. We're getting married in a few weeks with or without your blessing."
"I will be there for Daisy, but I can't give you my blessing."
"I understand," he replies with a nod of his head. “Will you be coming to the engagement party next week?”
“I will.”
“I appreciate that,” Dalton replies.
“I’m not doing it for you,” I grind out.
He heaves out a sigh. “I want you to know, despite what you think of me, that I will do everything in my power to take care of her."
His words catch me off guard, and I can feel the sincerity behind them. For a moment, I let myself believe that he might actually mean it.
"Are you ready to go?" Dalton asks as Daisy steps up to us both, ending our tense conversation.
"I guess," she replies with a small smile, her gaze drifting to me.
"Come here," I say roughly, pulling her into my arms.
"As much as I love you, Drix, I can't actually breathe," she laughs after a moment, and I pull back apologising.
Gripping her shoulders, I look into her eyes and say, "If at any point it gets to be too much, you come home, okay? No matter the consequences. You come home."
Out of the corner of my eye I see Dalton flinch, but he remains quiet.
"I love you," she retorts.
"Love you too."
With that, she unravels herself from my arms and pulls open the passenger door, shutting it quietly behind her.
"Don't let me down, Dalton," I say, and he nods, climbing into the car too. A moment later the engine starts and he's pulling off out of the drive.
"Bye, Daisy!" Toby calls, running after the car, his laughter lifting up into the air as he waves frantically, unaware of the sacrifice she’s made for our happiness.
Lia's hand slides into mine as she leans her head against my arm. "Maybe things will work out," she suggests.
"You think?"
Lia nods, an air of certainty in her voice as she says, "Just over two months ago I met a man who extended me an act of kindness. That kindness blossomed into love. I never dared hope to find such happiness, but I did. Perhaps there's a chance for them both."
As Lia's words wash over me like a warm, comforting balm, I feel the sharp ache in my chest begin to subside. It is then that I understand that love is not merely an emotion, but a powerful force capable of mending even the most broken of hearts, and maybe, just maybe it can work its magic on Daisy and Dalton too.
EPILOGUE
LIA
Five weeks later
With nimble fingers, I carefully spread a layer of smooth buttercream frosting onto the tiers of Daisy and Dalton's wedding cake, savouring the silky texture as it glides beneath my spatula, infusing each stroke with love and hope as I sing at the top of my lungs to some folk music playing on the radio. Suddenly the sound of hurried steps interrupts my concentration as Toby bursts into the kitchen, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Mama! Mama!" he exclaims breathlessly, bouncing on his toes. "Drix has a surprise for you!"
Intrigued by his enthusiasm, I wipe my hands on my apron and follow Toby into the living room, my heart skipping a beat when I see what Drix has prepared.
