PART 8:

Miranda turned to face him in the living room, and he saw it in her eyes before she even spoke. Someone had told her something. I heard an interesting piece of gossip yesterday, she said, voice dangerously calm. Want to guess what it was about? Not particularly. My sister and you. There it was. Daniel’s stomach dropped.

Who told you? Does it matter? Is it true? Is what true? We had coffee. That’s it. You had coffee with Ariana. Miranda’s laugh was sharp, humorless. Do you have any idea how that looks? Two adults having a conversation. Yeah, I can see how that would be scandalous. Don’t be cute. You know exactly what I mean. My sister, Daniel.

Of all the people in this city, you choose my baby sister? I didn’t choose anything. We ran into each other. We talked. That’s all.  Miranda stepped closer, eyes flashing. I know you. I know when you’re lying, and you’re lying right now. Daniel held his ground. What do you want me to say? That we’ve been seeing each other? We haven’t.

That there’s something going on? There isn’t. Not yet. Not yet. She seized on the words. So, you’re planning on it. I don’t know what I’m planning. We’re figuring it out. Jesus Christ. Miranda turned away, hands running through her perfectly styled hair. This is exactly like you. Completely inappropriate, terrible timing, and you’re doing it anyway because you can’t help yourself. That’s not fair.

Fair? She whirled back. You want to talk about fair? I introduce you to my family, bring you into our world, and the second we’re done, you go after my sister? How is that fair to me? We’ve been divorced for 2 years, Miranda. You moved on. I’m allowed to move on, too. Not with Ariana. Why not? The question seemed to catch her off guard.

She stared at him, mouth working, trying to find the words. Because, she said finally, she’s family. Because it’s weird and wrong, and it makes me look like an idiot. Because everyone will talk and make assumptions, and I’ll have to deal with the fallout. So, this is about how it makes you look. Everything is about how things look, Daniel. That’s how the world works.

Something you never understood. There it was. The fundamental difference that had killed their marriage. Miranda lived for appearances, for status, for the carefully constructed image she presented to the world. Daniel had tried to fit into that world and failed spectacularly. I’m not doing this again. He said quietly.

Fighting about things that don’t matter. Sophie matters. His blood went cold. What about Sophie? What kind of environment are you creating for her? Dating family members, confusing her about boundaries. I’m not dating anyone, and even if I was, Sophie has nothing to do with this. She has everything to do with this.

Miranda’s voice dropped, became calculating. A judge might have opinions about a father who makes questionable relationship choices. The threat hung between them, sharp and clear. You wouldn’t. Try me. Daniel felt rage building in his chest, hot and bitter. You’re going to threaten custody because I had coffee with someone you don’t approve of? I’m protecting my daughter from instability.

She’s my daughter, too. And the only instability in her life is you, constantly trying to control everything. Get out. Gladly. He turned toward the backyard, but Miranda grabbed his arm. I mean it, Daniel. Stay away from Ariana, or I will make your life a living hell. He pulled his arm free. You already did that. It’s called marriage.

I survived it once. He found Sophie on the swing set, kicking her legs listlessly. She brightened when she saw him. Can we go now? Yeah, bug. Let’s go home. They drove in silence for the first few minutes. Daniel’s hands were shaking on the wheel, adrenaline and anger making it hard to focus. You and Mom were fighting, Sophie said quietly. We were having a disagreement.

It sounded like fighting. He couldn’t lie to her. Wouldn’t. Yeah, he admitted. We were fighting. About what? Adult stuff. Nothing for you to worry about. Was it about the lady? The nice one? Daniel’s hands tightened on the wheel. Why would you think that? Because Mom asked me yesterday if you were seeing anyone.

I said I didn’t know, but then she got that face she gets when she’s mad. Christ. Miranda had been fishing for information from their 6-year-old daughter. Bug, listen to me. Whatever happens between your mom and me, it’s not your job to be in the middle. If she asks you questions about me, you can tell her you don’t know. Or you can tell me and I’ll handle it, but it’s not your responsibility.

Okay? Sophie nodded, but she looked troubled. I don’t like when you fight. I know. I don’t like it, either. Will it get worse if you keep seeing the lady? The question was too perceptive, too aware of the complications adults created. Maybe, Daniel said, because he wouldn’t lie. But that’s not your problem to solve.

That’s mine. Do you like her? The lady? I do. Like like like her? Despite everything, he smiled. Maybe. Then you should keep seeing her, even if Mom gets mad. It’s not that simple, bug. Why not? You told me when I have a friend I like, I should be brave and tell them, even if other kids think it’s weird. That’s different.

How? Daniel had no answer for that. His 6-year-old daughter had just distilled the entire situation down to its essence and found him wanting. They got home and Sophie disappeared into her room to draw pictures of moon rocks. Daniel stood in his kitchen, phone in hand, staring at Ariana’s last message. He should end this now.

👉 [Tap here for the Next Part ] 👈