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I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of these worries pressing down on me. The stability I've worked so hard to create suddenly feels fragile, like a house of cards that could collapse at any moment.
A deep sigh escapes me as I lean against the doorframe, watching Zola play. She looks up, her bright eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, all my fears melt away. I won't let Valeria disrupt her happiness. I can't. I've fought too hard, come too far, to let that happen now.
But the unease lingers, a shadow at the edge of my thoughts. How do I protect Zola from this?
And what about Chloe? I've slowly brought her into my daughter's life. Will that be a mistake too?
Even as I think it, I know it won't. I can't stop thinking about Chloe. Her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes light up when she talks about Penelope. It's like a constant buzz in the back of my mind, distracting me from work, from chores, from everything.
Fuck, I've got it bad.
But with these feelings comes a gnawing sense of fear. Opening up to someone again, letting them into our lives... it's terrifying. After Valeria, I swore I'd never put myself in that position again. Never risk Zola getting hurt.
Yet here I am, falling for Chloe despite my best efforts not to.
I glance at the clock on the wall and realize it's well past Zola's bedtime. "Alright, princess, time to wrap it up. It's bedtime."
Zola's head snaps up, her eyes widening. "But Daddy, I'm not tired yet!" She hugs her favorite stuffed animal of the night, a worn-out elephant named Trunky, close to her chest.
"I know, sweetheart, but growing girls need their sleep." I take a step forward and hold out my hand. "Come on, let's get you tucked in."
She pouts, her lower lip jutting out. "Five more minutes? Please?"
I shake my head, trying to keep a stern face despite her adorable expression. "Not tonight, Zola. It's already past your bedtime."
Suddenly, her face lights up with an idea. "Okay, Daddy. I'll go to bed... if you do the funny dance!"
I raise an eyebrow. "The funny dance? I don't know what you're talking about."
Zola giggles, jumping up and down. "Yes, you do! The one where you wiggle your tusks and shake your butt!"
I can't help but laugh. "Oh, that dance. Well, I don't know..."
"Please, Daddy?" She bats her eyelashes at me. "I'll brush my teeth extra good and everything!"
I pretend to consider it for a moment, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... extra good teeth brushing, you say? That's a tempting offer."
Zola nods enthusiastically. "And I'll put on my pajamas super fast!"
"Well, when you put it that way..." I grin and start wiggling my tusks exaggeratedly, shaking my hips in a ridiculous dance. Zola erupts into a fit of giggles, clapping her hands.
"Okay, okay," I say, stopping the dance. "A deal's a deal. Now, let's get you ready for bed."
True to her word, Zola races to the bathroom and brushes her teeth in record time. She changes into her favorite unicorn pajamas and hops into bed, still giggling about my dance.
As I tuck her in, she looks up at me with those big blue eyes. "Daddy, can we see Miss Chloe and Penny tomorrow?"
I smile, pushing away the worries from earlier. "We'll see, sweetheart. Now, close your eyes and dream sweet dreams."
I kiss her forehead and turn off the light, leaving the door slightly ajar. As I walk away, I hear Zola's soft voice. "Goodnight, Daddy. I love you."
"Love you too, princess," I whisper, watching her eyelids flutter closed. Stepping out of her room, I leave the door slightly ajar, just the way she likes it.
Back in the living room, I start tidying up the chaos left in the wake of Hurricane Zola. Stuffed animals litter the floor like fuzzy landmines, and half-finished crayon drawings cover every surface.
I'm in the middle of rescuing Mr. Snuggles, Zola's favorite teddy bear — she has a favorite of every kind of stuffed animal and is insistent on continuing to collect — from under the couch when a loud knock at the door nearly makes me jump out of my skin.
"Who could that be?" I mutter, glancing at the clock. It's way too late for visitors.
