It's a few days after Zack discovered the shocking truth: he has a daughter named Zivia, hidden from him by his ex-wife, Olivia, for the past four years. The revelation has left him reeling, trying to process the years of missed moments and the sudden weight of fatherhood.
Meanwhile, Olivia wakes up one morning in her London mansion, greeted by the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains.
Olivia: "Good morning, sweetheart. Ready for breakfast?"
Zivia: "Morning, Mommy! Pancakes today?"
Olivia: "Of course, pancakes it is!"
After a breakfast of pancakes and syrup, Olivia decides to take Zivia for a morning walk in the park.
Olivia: "Let's go for a walk, Zivia. Maybe we'll see some ducks at the pond."
Zivia: "Yay! Duckies!"
She strapped Zivia into her tricycle, and together with their two puppies, Elsa and Harry, they set off down the winding paths.
Olivia: "Stay close, Zivia. We don't want you wandering off."
Zivia: "I will, Mommy!"
The park is alive with the sound of birdsong and laughter as Olivia and Zivia explore its hidden corners. They stop by the pond to feed the ducks.
Zivia: "Look, Mommy! Duckies!"
Olivia: "Yes, sweetie. Here's some bread for them."
After their walk, Olivia and Zivia return home.
Olivia: "Bath time for the puppies! Want to help, Zivia?"
Zivia: "Yes, please!"
They give the puppies their first bath, bubbles flying as the puppies splash around in the soapy water.
Zivia: "This is so much fun, Mommy!"
Olivia: "I'm glad you're enjoying it, sweetheart."
Once the puppies are clean and dry, Olivia turns her attention to Zivia, helping her bathe and get dressed.
Olivia: "Time to get ready for daycare, Zivia. It's going to be a fun day."
Zivia: "I can't wait, Mommy!"
Olivia drops Zivia off at daycare before heading to her meeting in Richmond.
Olivia: "Have a great day, sweetie. Mommy will be back soon."
In the afternoon, as the daycare takes the children to the park, Zivia spots a balloon vendor and excitedly wanders towards him.
Zivia: "Balloons! Look, Aunt Amira (daycare worker)!"
Meanwhile, Zack is with his new fiancée, Nicole, on a date in the park.
Zack: "This ice cream is delicious, Nicole. Thanks for suggesting this."
Nicole: "I'm glad you like it, Zack. It's nice to spend time together like this."
Suddenly, Zack notices a young girl wandering towards the road.
Zack: "Hey, watch out!"
Zack springs into action, diving forward and scooping the girl into his arms just in time.
Zack: "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Zivia: crying "I want my mommy!"
Zack: "Don't worry, we'll find her."
The daycare workers rush over to thank Zack for his quick thinking.
Daycare Worker: "Thank you for saving her! We've been looking everywhere."
Zack's initial concern turns to anger as he realizes the gravity of the situation.
Zack: "You're supposed to be watching these kids. How did she wander off like that?"
Daycare Worker: "We're so sorry, sir. It was an oversight on our part."
Zack: "Mistakes like this could have serious consequences. You need to do better."
Daycare Worker: "We understand, sir. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
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Olivia's heart pounded as she rushed through the bustling streets of London, clutching tightly onto the small toy she had just bought for her daughter, Zivia. She had just finished a crucial meeting with her investors in Richmond and was eager to reunite with her little girl. But her excitement quickly turned to dread as she received a frantic call from the daycare.
"Miss Olivia, it's Zivia," the daycare worker's voice trembled through the phone. "She... she almost got hit by a car."
Olivia's blood ran cold as she listened, her mind racing with fear and worry. Without a second thought, she hailed a taxi and directed it to the daycare center. Every passing second felt like an eternity as she imagined the worst possible scenarios.
Meanwhile, at the daycare, Zack sat with Zivia feeding her icecream, his mind still reeling from the close call. He couldn't shake the feeling of anger and frustration at the daycare staff for their negligence. Yet, as he looked at the little girl in front of him, his heart softened. She reminded him so much of himself at that age-innocent, curious, and full of life.
Zack's anger simmered beneath the surface as he tried to maintain his composure.
Zack: "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
Zivia nodded, her eyes still wide with shock.
Zack: "You gave us all quite a scare, you know that?"
Zivia: "I'm sorry, Mister. I just wanted to get a balloon."
Zack's jaw clenched as he fought to keep his temper in check.
Zack: "It's okay, Zivia. Just promise me you'll always look both ways before crossing the street, okay?"
Zivia: "I promise, Mister."
Zack's heart skipped a beat as he heard the familiar voice of a frantic mother calling out for her daughter. He turned to see Olivia, her eyes wide with panic, rushing towards them. His anger flared at the sight of her.
Olivia's breath caught in her throat as she saw Zack, the man she had once loved and lost, sitting with her daughter. Memories came flooding back-of happier times, of painful goodbyes, of secrets kept and truths revealed.
"Zack..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.
Zack's jaw tightened even further as he looked at Olivia, his emotions swirling like a storm inside him. Anger, betrayal, longing-they all fought for dominance, threatening to consume him whole.
But then he looked at Zivia, her innocent eyes filled with love and trust, and something inside him softened. He remembered the promise he had made to himself years ago-to always protect and cherish his daughter, no matter what.
"Olivia," he said, his voice strained with anger and emotion, "your daughter... she's safe. I... I saved her."
Olivia's eyes filled with tears of relief as she rushed forward and gathered Zivia into her arms.
Olivia: "Thank you, Zack. Thank you for saving her."
Zack nodded stiffly, his own eyes misty with unshed tears.
Zack: "I'll always protect her, Olivia. You have my word."
And in that moment, as they stood together, united in their love for Zivia, Zack and Olivia knew that perhaps, just perhaps, there was hope for them yet.
okaaayyyyyyyyyyy, that's a wrap for chapter 29!!
fair warning this book is going to be pretty damn long!!!
anyways how was the chapter?
do let me know,
until next time,
love yall
