Chapter 39
39
9– I Want My Daughter To Call Me Dad
Graham:
Seeing Baxter in her suite with the couch unmade as if he had gotten too comfortable, I felt the same jealousy I used to feel back when Madeline was friends with me.
I remembered how much it annoyed me that others always took up her time.
There were moments when I wanted to ask her, ‘Why can’t it just be the two of us? Why do you have to spend so much time with others p>
But I never asked, and she never noticed.
Now that we are grown, I wonder what would have happened if I had asked her to choose back then.
I shook my head and looked at Baxter, who had asked me a question and was waiting for my response.
“ Your feelings? What do you mean by your feelings?” Baxter asked in a sharp, almost mocking tone.
“Baxter, I’ll talk to her about it. But since you’re so curious, I’ll just tell you—I love Madeline. I’ve always loved her. I’ve always had feelings for her.” 2
Saying it out loud after so long felt like breaking free from a weight that had been holding me down for years.
But the look on my best friend’s face showed that he was just as shocked as I was.
“Whoa, wait a minute. What do you mean you love her? That’s a big word to throw around,” Baxter said, exactly as I’d expected him to.
He immediately started to argue, and I understood why.
While I had kept my feelings to myself, he had always been an open book.
He was jealous.
“Baxter, you don’t need to worry about it. I love her, and I can’t live without her. I’m going to tell her how I feel, and she’s going to understand and respect that. That’s all,” I said firmly, making it clear that no argument would change my mind.
I wasn’t going to back down. I had come this far to tell Madeline how I felt, not to be questioned by Baxter.
“You’re married, remember?” Baxter reminded me of something I didn’t want to discuss.
“Well, that’s my problem, and I’ll deal with it. You don’t need to worry. You’re happy with your life, right? So what’s bothering you? Why are you asking me all these questions?” I snapped, hitting back by pointing out his own situation.
“I heard you’ll have a ceremony soon, so focus on that. You’re happy with Yuvonne, and congratulations for that. But I’m not happy with Kaylee, so let me handle my life without you interfering,” I said irritably, moving my hands as I spoke.
“What’s going on? What are you doing here p>
The voice came from behind us and we went silent.
The door to the side room opened, and out walked Madeline. Her hair was wet, and it looked like she had just taken a shower.
1/3
30-1 My far to Ch
She wore skinny blue jeans and a purple top.
For a moment, it seemed like she hadn’t come out of the bathroom but out of heaven itself.
It took me a moment to recover from the shock of seeing her and compose myself.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
The hesitation on her face told me she wasn’t expecting me after that call I had made.
“Actually…” I started, scratching the back of my neck.
My attention shifted when I noticed the kids‘ door open, and Gina woke up in bed.
Forgetting everything else, I rushed toward my daughter.
But the moment I stepped into the room, she flinched and moved back.
“ Uncle Graham?” she asked, her expression confused.
For a moment, my heart broke. She called me uncle. I didn’t want that.
She was my daughter, my blood. I wanted her to know me as her father.
“Gina, Uncle Graham came here to check on you. Remember you were sick yesterday? That’s why he’s here,” Madeline explained, stepping in quickly to help calm her down.
Her voice was gentle, but I could tell the sickness had frightened Gina.
She had always been social, but now she seemed distant. It worried me.
Then she suddenly got up, walked toward me, and held out her small hand for a handshake.
The gesture melted my heart.
I knelt down, forcing myself not to cry. She must have been such a beautiful toddler.
I had already missed half of her childhood, and I didn’t want to lose any more of it.
“Hi,” I greeted softly, shaking her tiny hand.
I wanted to kiss it, but since she didn’t know me as her father, I held back.
I didn’t want to overwhelm her.
“Let me check your fever,” I said, using it as an excuse to touch her.
I placed my hand on her forehead, then gently pinched her puffy little cheeks.
“Oh, it seems like you’re doing better,” I stated with a smile,
“I’m fine. I just had a little sleep without being fallen asleep,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes at her own confusing words.
Her sass made me smile.
“Okay, Gina, why don’t you go freshen up first while I talk to Uncle Graham, okay?” Madeline said, stepping forward and giving her daughter a gentle look.
Gina nodded right away, obedient as always, and walked off toward the bathroom.
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39-1 Want My Daughter To Call Me Dod
+25 Bonus
I watched them and felt proud of Madeline for how well she had raised the kids.
I could hardly believe that the same Madeline who used to be so messy and nerdy had not only given birth but had taken care of her children all on her own.
When I stood up, I noticed her eyes fixed on me steadily, almost searching.
I knew then that she had questions waiting for me.
Once Gina went to the bathroom and the others began waking up, Baxter stormed in, pretending he was there to help with the kids.
But I knew what he was really doing, he was eavesdropping.
“Uh, are we only going to talk? Don’t you humans welcome a guest with some food?” I joked, trying to avoid Madeline’s sharp gaze and the conversation I knew was coming.
“Sure, I’ll call the service and ask them to send something up,” she replied, her voice stern.
Madeline gave me a quick, cold glance before turning to walk back to her room.
That was when I knew I needed to speak with her alone.
I started to step out of the kids‘ room, but when Baxter tried to follow, I raised my hand to stop him.
“Baxter, I’d like to speak with her alone,” I said firmly before following Madeline to her room.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.