Dad Inten

by: Yo

Five: Bo

as'

ldn't

hands shook, her movements frantic, as if the walls were closing in around her. She

ted

above a whisper. She glanced up, her gaze locki

ay with my arms crossed. "Do you want to wait

e went back to packing. "You didn't have

ng it so well, texting me and screa

Instead, her hand drifted to her stomach

noticed. I shou

It felt c

~

lence between us was heavy, punctuated only by the occasional sniffle from he

l have everything you need-security, privacy. But let's b

staring at me,

posed to mean?"

ore from me. My responsibility is to my child, not to you. You'll live a modest lif

ke louder than

staring at her belly again, her fi

twisted in

Focus!'. I scre

~

onal. A safe house I rarely used, but it

, opening the door for her.

g like a lifeline. Her eyes scanned

asked, already half-expecting

ad. "No. This is

esitant, that made me pause. No sar

I added, clearing my throat. "If Dami

bing her stomach. "I'

supposed to feel anything for her. She was just a complica

yet so fiercely protective of the life gr

eager to leave before I sa

uc

topped me i

ed without tu

her tone laced with curiosity and...

y hair. "Because nothing will harm my chil

taring at her belly again , but her lip

sn't

hut behind me. But as I stood in the hallway, st

ated. Protect her, protect the bab

looked at her stomach? The way she held herself, l

s to care. I co

urned and walked back in telling myse

in my head whispered