“Are you hungry?”
“What?”
“Are you hungry?” I repeat.
Maya frowns. “Uh, I guess. We probably don’t have a lot in.”
I walk towards the kitchen and flick through the cupboards and fridge to see if I can whip something up.
“What are you doing?” she sniffles.
“Making us dinner.”
“We have no food.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I say with a smile. “Sit down. Shower. Nap. Do whatever you need. I’ve got this and Skye.”
Maya’s eyes flutter as she blinks and stares at me for a long moment.
“What?”
“You’re really in this with me?”
“With my entire heart.”
Maya releases a long breath. “Okay.”
“Do you trust me?
“Do you want me to be honest?”
“Yes.”
“Then no, not one hundred percent,” she says as she links her fingers together.
My lips press into a line. “I understand. I know I fucked up before, but I’m going to put it right,” I say sincerely.
Maya shifts between her feet. “I might have let you back into our lives, but you still have a lot to prove. Just whatever you do, please don’t…” She trails off as her chest heaves. “Don’t hurt me again.”
Pain slashes through me at her words. The fact that she even has to tell me. I’d rather gut myself than see another tear leave her eyes.
“Sunshine.” I turn to face her, and at this moment, she looks so vulnerable and fragile. It shatters me to pieces. “I willneverhurt you like that again. I learnt my lesson, and I’m not going to lose you.”
She clears her throat. “I’m gonna shower.”
“Take as long as you need,” I say before turning back to the kitchen. “I’m going to be right here.”
I feel Maya’s eyes on me as I reach for the open pack of pasta and find a can of tinned tomatoes at the back of the cupboard. A few moments later, I hear her footsteps as she walks towards the bathroom and firmly shuts the door.
A breath of relief escapes me because this might be the breakthrough we’ve needed. I just wish it was under better circumstances and her relationship with her sister is okay.
Only time will prove that I’m going to be the best father and supportive co-parent. I flinch at that word, something that’s going to take me a while to get used to.
One day at a time.
Or I’ll go insane.
CHAPTER 19
