Chapter 122


    Derrick observed the little girl from a distance as she rode and pushed a small pink bike. He had


    discovered their schedule, knowing that kids at the hospital could y in the small garden on certain


    days. Curious, he hade to see for himself. Ever since Be shared the news with him, he had felt


    restless; mere pictures weren’t enough.


    He watched her with the gaze of a predator fixated on its prey-Ethan’s kid. His hands clenched into a


    tight grip, so tight that his scars began to burn.


    Daisy rode carefreely under the vignt eye of a nurse, using the bicycle Ethan had provided. As she


    turned her innocent gaze met Derrick’s gaze staring right at her. The man was looking right at her.


    Naturally curious, she strolled off her bike and walked to where he stood, standing right in front of him


    and staring up with innocent curiosity.


    The duo, one towering and scarred, the other petite and curious, engaged in a silent study.


    Daisy pointed out, “You have a lot of boo-boos.” Derrick, feeling exposed, adjusted his hoodie,


    attempting to conceal more of his face. Derrick stared at her-she wasn’t scared? Rather she was


    curious, her neck was stretched all the way backward as she tried to see him better.


    She motioned for him to crouch down to her eye level. “What’s she doing? Why isn’t she scared and


    running, calling for her mother?” he wondered. His face and b*dy were hideous; adults couldn’t stand


    the look of him, let alone kids. Normally, children would cry at the sight of him, but this little one was


    gazing at him with genuine interest and fascination.


    He found himself beside himself, feeling all of his rage melt under her gaze. She was undeniably


    adorable, her face round and plump, irresistibly pinchable. Unable to resist, he leaned down and


    pinched her cheeks a little. She giggled out loud, and Derrick couldn’t help but smile. Even herughter


    sounded hearty and beautiful.


    Squatting down to her height, he decided to take off the hoodie, fully expecting her to be frightened by


    the sight. His head waspletely bald, fragments of what used to be skin scat tered around, now


    burnt remnants. Daisy now saw him up close, and a small gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes transitioned


    from surprise to pity and sadness.


    “Do your boo-boos hurt?” she asked him gently, patting his face like it was an interesting object. She


    began tracing her fingers around the scars. Still not scared? He was genuinely surprised now.


    “Does it?” she asked, looking up at him and into his eyes.


    “Yes,” he answered in a hoa rse voice. They hurt. Every second of the day. His existence


    alone was painful. The only thing that kept him going was fulfilling the promise he’d made.


    Daisy looked very sad, her gaze falling upon hearing he was in pain. He reached out and held her


    cheeks once more. She giggled lightly—such innocence and adorableness. The girl in front of him was


    a lovable child.


    “I’m sorry,” she apologized. That your father and grandfather did this? His mind echoed.


    “Aren’t you scared?” he asked her instead.


    Daisy looked confused. She had seen him and just assumed he was one of the patients being treated


    at the hospital. Why should she be scared?


    “Are you a monster?” she quizzed back.


    A monster? A chuckle escaped his lips. “No.”


    “Then why should I be scared? You’ve only got lots of hurts around you. But that doesn’t mean you’re


    scary,” she said in her baby voice. Derrick’s eyes widened in surprise.


    “I’ve got boo-boos too, you know. Right here.” She pointed at her heart where she had been operated


    and checked on continually for years now.


    “Mine hurts really bad. Most times I cry. And you’ve got so many, you must hurt really bad, Mr.,” she


    muttered sadly. It was almost like she felt the pain he did. Such an emotional child. He was sure she


    got it from Hazel.


    “You’ve got scars too, huh,” he muttered.


    She nodded, her curls bobbling around her small face.


    She sighed, then moved to his palm, gently holding it. nting a small k*ss on his palm, her


    unexpected action surprised him. She grabbed a small band-aid from her dress pocket and ced it on


    his arm.


    “Feel better?” she asked him, her eyes filled with hope. His gaze fell to the small, colorful band-aid,


    barely covering anything. But to her, she had offered help.


    “Yes,” he muttered. She smiled brightly, her entire face lighting up,


    “Daisy, Daisy, where are you? Time to head back,” a voice called for her.


    “Coming,” she yelled back.


    “It’s the nurse. I was allowed toe y here for a while. I’ve got to go now,” she exined to him a


    touch of disappointment in her voice.


    III


    O


    “Boo-boos get better with time. You’ll see,” she encouraged with a small,forting smile. Then, she


    turned, walked, and hopped on her bike, pedaling away.


    Derrick stood there, watching her leave, a mix of emotions swirling within.


    Unnoticed by him, a tear escaped from his eyes, catching him by surprise.


    He didn’t notice till he felt the liquid on his face.


    Tears? He hastily, he wiped it away, refusing to acknowledge the unexpected disy of vulnerability.


    Why was he even here? Learning about Hazel’s child had prompted pushing him to see for himself.


    This was the first time in years that he ventured out into the open during the daytime.


    His


    gaze returned to the colorful bandaid on his arm. “My kind of hurts don’t heal; they never heal,” he


    muttered, a somber acknowledgment of his life. “Scars don’t heal.” With that realization, he turned and


    headed towards where his car was parked.


    ***


    **


    “Where has your mind been, Hazel?” Nathan asked, gently shaking her. She snapped out of her


    thoughts.


    “I’m sorry,” Nathan was expressing his hopes, detailing the things they would do together once out of


    the hospital, but her mind had wandered.


    “Nowhere and everywhere,” she replied with a sigh. “Daisy’s surgery is this month, I’m a little worried,


    Nathan,” she admitted her voice tinged heavily with worry and concern.


    “Technically, it’s next month,” he said lightly. “This month is just the first intense pre- surgery checkup,”


    he corrected her gently.


    “You’re doing great, Hazel; she’s really happy,” Nathan assured her. The two looked back at Daisy


    ying happily with her brother. Hospital stays weren’t as depressing as before -Daisy was a much


    happier child, all thanks to a certain someone.


    “And I’ve been thinking, about the proposal…” Hazel started.


    “I know, no pressure. Let’s talk after Daisy’s surgery,” Nathan interrupted her gently, offering an


    understanding smile.


    “Thank you,” she muttered, expressing her gratitude. The two sat quietly for a few minutes, Hazel lost


    in thought, a distant look on her face.


    They hade such a long way, and through it all, Ethan had consistently proven his love for them.


    Daisy’s improved condition was also thanks to him. Despite Hazel’s


    3


    reluctance to admit it, Ethan had yed a significant role time and time again.


    “I think I should tell Ethan the truth, about Liam and Daisy,” she said thoughtfully watching her kids.


    Nathan’s eyes widened as he looked at her incredulously. “What? Why? Are you crazy, Hazel?” he


    asked.


    “Sorry,” he said, releasing a sigh, recognizing he had overstepped. “But that’s a really bad idea. Do you


    want to lose your kids?”


    “I don’t, Nathan, but…”


    “But nothing. There, it ends there. Nothing more, Hazel. In a month’s time, we’ll be gone from this


    ce, far away.”


    “I think Ethan’s sick,” Hazel blurted out.


    “Do you care about him?” Nathan asked, ncing at her.


    “I don’t know,” Hazel admitted with a sigh. While she should feel anger towards Ethan, she found


    herself devoid of any resentment. His love and dedication to her kids seemed genuine.


    “You haven’t looked at it really well. After you tell him, he would want a ce in their lives. He could


    sue you, take one of the twins, or even both, then ban you from seeing them ever again. Is that what


    you want?”


    “Ethan wouldn’t,” Hazel replied.


    “You sound so sure,” he muttered with irritation. “It seems you’ve forgotten pack dynamics,” he


    reminded her.


    Hazel sighed defeatedly.


    Just as the door opened, someone walked in.


    “Ethan sent us gifts!” Liam eximed in excitement, performing a backflip as Axel entered the room.


    Though Nathan and he had brought gifts earlier, Liam’s reaction was distinctly more enthusiastic about


    Ethan’s gifts; supplements, fruits, and snacks, a thoughtful gesture to ensure they were well-stocked.


    Be couldn’t help but smile at the familiar generosity of Ethan.


    “Let’s talk,” Axel suggested to Nathan as they ced the items down, instructing the cleaners to set


    them up.


    Nathanplied, and they moved to one of the quiet spaces of the hospital.


    16:58 Thu,


    “How’s Jasmine been?” Axel asked gently, genuinely curious.


    “She’s on work leave, I insisted. She needed it,” Nathan muttered.


    “Is she okay?” Axel inquired quietly.


    Nathan sighed, “She asked questions the other time about her past.”


    3


    2+67%


    “The stalker from the other time, were you able to find out anything?” Nathan asked curiously.


    “No,” Axel replied, shaking his head. “By the time I visited again, he was dead; apparently, he killed


    himself.”


    “He’s from a pack called ck Axe, but it went underground. A lot of things were unraveled about that


    ce,” Axel added with a sigh.


    “And apparently, that’s where she’s from. I can only imagine the kind of hardship and abuse she went


    through while she was there,” Axel muttered.


    “Does she remember anything?” Axel asked.


    “Not yet. She’s struggling with her memories. It would be best if she forgets those things; they must


    have been horrifying.” Nathan stated.


    “That’s probably where she got those scars,” Axel muttered.


    “Scars?” He asked a frown forming on his face.


    “She has several, on her back and inner thighs,” he replied. Leaving things be would be best. Nathan


    stated resignedly.


    “But your wife,” Axel pointed out.


    Nathan shrugged sadly. “She risked her life so a young girl could be happy and safe. She’s gone now.


    What’s the use of digging up old wounds? The truth would hurt Jasmine very badly. She should be


    happy if possible,” he muttered, a small smile forming on his face. “And besides, I have a future.”


    “Are they really your kids?” Axel asked him doubtfully.


    “What’s that question supposed to mean?” Nathan retorted.


    “Nothing,” came Axel’s reply. It wasn’t his business. But Ethan’s DNA report was clear, and yet the


    doubt lingered, Ethan still didn’t want to ept it. In fact, that was the real reason why he was here. He


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    intended to end this matter once and for all.


    Readers Appreciation post : I just want to say a really big thank you! For all the


    E


    feedbacks,ments, giftings and criticism. For a first time author it means so much. I’ll keep working


    on improving. You guys are the real MVPs. Thank you!


    GIFT


    0