Chapter 54: Chapter Fifty-three

She could feel the hair on her neck stand as she walked through the quiet road toward her house. The evening was quiet, the kind that made every sound echo louder than it should. Only a few people were on the road. Daniel walked beside her, his arms carefully holding a sleeping Rena against his chest. The little girl’s soft breathing was steady, her face pressed against Daniel’s shoulder, completely unaware of the unease running through her mother.

Beverly walked a short distance in front of them, swinging a black-and-white tote bag lazily with one hand, humming a cheerful tune under her breath. Her tune carried lightly in the air, but for Mirabella, the growing knot in her stomach increased.

Just like the past three days. She always felt weird walking on the road.

Daniel’s voice broke the silence from beside her. “Are you okay, Mira? You look a little unsettled.” His words were gentle, but his eyes searched her face carefully.

Mirabella blinked quickly, forcing a smile. “Huh? Oh… I’m okay.” Her voice was small and unconvincing.

Beverly slowed her steps, turning her head slightly. “I noticed too. You keep looking around, like you’re searching for someone.”

Mirabella gave a short laugh, trying to brush it off. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just tired. I think I need a long rest.” Actually, there were times she felt worn out from work, from thinking about the past. From always wondering if it would catch up to her. She just feels overwhelmed. Maybe it is the case now.

Daniel shifted the child carefully in his arms and nodded. “Just take it easy,” he said softly. Then, almost without thinking, he placed his free hand gently against the small of her back.

The touch startled her. A flash of discomfort passed through her chest, and she instinctively stepped aside, putting space between them. But she quickly masked it with a polite smile so he wouldn’t feel offended. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

The unsettled feeling only grew. Her heart raced, and she found herself turning back once again, her eyes darting over the road, the shops, the faces of people passing by. As usual, nobody seemed to be paying her any attention. Everyone was busy with their own business, their own lives.

So, she brushed the feeling away. Moreover what could it possibly be?

When they reached Beverly’s place which was just few steps away from Mirabella's own, she stopped in front of the small gate and turned to them with a grin. “Alright, this is me. Goodnight, you all.”

“Goodnight,” Mirabella and Daniel said together. Beverly waved at them before disappearing into her compound, the gate clanging shut behind her.

They walked few more steps and in no time, they reached Mirabella’s gate. She pushed it open with one hand and stepped aside, holding it for Daniel so he could go in with Rena.

At the front door, Daniel shifted the child carefully again. “Here, let me give her back to you,” he said softly.

But Mirabella immediately asked, surprising herself too. “Do you want to come in? For an evening snack and coffee?”

Daniel’s face lit up immediately. His smile was wide and genuine, like a boy being handed his long-awaited chance. She rarely invited him inside. Often, when he walked her home, she would thank him at the gate and go in alone with Rena. Sometimes it made him feel she didn’t trust him enough to let him into her personal space. But now? This felt like a little progress.

He nodded quickly. “I’d like to,” he said, his voice warm.

She fumbled with the key at the lock, finally opening the door. They stepped inside together, and she locked it behind them.

“Let me,” she said, reaching for Rena. He carefully handed the child over, his hands gentle, almost reverent. Mirabella carried her daughter to her bedroom, laying her softly on the bed. She smoothed back Rena’s little strands of hair, kissed her forehead, and waited until she stopped stirring before leaving the room.

When she came back, Daniel was standing in the living room, looking around with an appreciative smile. “You must be very tired. Let me help with the coffee,” he offered.

Mirabella chuckled. “It’s just coffee, Daniel. I already made snacks before leaving the house this morning.”

“Even so,” he said, “I’d still like to help.”

She sighed, but nodded, and they went together into the small but neat kitchen.

Daniel leaned against the counter, watching her as she filled the kettle with water and set it on the fire.

“So, how’s work going?” she asked. “You spend most of your time with us at the shop these days. You only leave for a few hours before you come back again.”

He smiled faintly, putting some sugar into the two mugs she handed him. “These days, I don’t have much to do on the site. It gets that way sometimes, when we have less busy days.”

“Oh.” She nodded thoughtfully. “That explains it.”

There was silence for a moment, broken only by the faint sound of the kettle heating up. Then Daniel spoke again, his voice quieter this time. “Does my presence make you that uncomfortable?” He asked, hoping to get her sincere reply.

Her head shot up, eyes widening. “Huh? Why would you think that?”

He gave a little smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Because… you rarely let me in. You always keep a distance. Mira, I don’t want to make you feel uneasy. I just want to understand if I'm doing anything wrong.”

She shook her head quickly. “Daniel… you’ve always been there for me and my baby. I am grateful. I’m not uncomfortable with you. Not at all.”

“Then why?” he asked softly, stepping closer. “Why won’t you give me a chance? You’ve always known my intentions toward you. I want to care for you as my woman, Mira. And I want to care for Rena as my daughter. Can you really not give us this chance?” His hand reached out, holding hers firmly.

Mirabella froze, her heart pounding. His words were sincere, but her chest tightened painfully.

She pulled her hand back and let out a long sigh. “It’s not that easy for me. I… I can’t. Not right now.” Her head bent low, avoiding his eyes.

Daniel’s jaw tightened. “Were you hurt before? What did Rena’s dad do to you? Did he hurt you and leave you?” His voice rose slightly, anger slipping into it.

She looked up at him blankly, her lips parting. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then she raised a shaky hand to her hair and sighed again. “I don’t want to talk about the past,” she whispered.

He was disappointed but he didn't show it. When would she ever trust him enough to open up to him? He forced himself to soften. “Alright,” he said gently. “But just know… I’ll be here. Whenever you need me. Whenever you’re ready.”

The rest of the evening passed in heavy silence. They drank coffee, nibbled on snacks, but the words between them were few. When Daniel finally left, she closed the door and leaned against it, exhaling a long breath of relief.

She cleared the kitchen, straightened the living room, and checked Rena’s room. Her daughter was still sleeping peacefully. Mirabella kissed her forehead once more before retreating to her own room.

She took a warm bath, changed into a black sleeveless top that stopped just below her hips, and lay on her bed. Exhaustion claimed her quickly, and soon she drifted into sleep.

At about two in the morning, the house was silent. The darkness lay heavy across the rooms.

Hunter stood over the small child’s bed, his tall frame casting more shadow across her. His eyes softened as he stared down at the little girl curled up under her blanket. Her long lashes rested against her cheeks, her lips parted slightly in innocent sleep. Her hair was dark, thick and falling around her face in waves. Just like her mother’s.

But her features… her face… it was his. His own reflection staring back at him in small, delicate form. It was as if looking at a small female version of himself. He wondered what her eye color would be.

Hunter’s lips curved into a smile. His heart; so dark, so cold for so long melted at the sight of her. She looks so tender. She was his child. His baby. His own blood.

He had never thought of fatherhood before. Never. The idea had always seemed far away, unneeded. But now, standing here, seeing this little creature who carried his bloodline, he felt something shift inside him. Something warm and blissful.

He was so sure at that moment that he would be smittened by her.

He bent down and kissed her forehead softly, inhaling her warmth. She stirred faintly, then settled again. He adjusted the blanket carefully around her small body, protective instinct flashing across his face.

Then he straightened, his expression hardening once more. He turned and walked to the door, carefully not to make a sound and wake her up.

He stopped in front of the next room. His hand twisted the handle and he stepped inside. He locked the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the silence. Then his eyes fell on the beautiful sleeping figure sprawled across the bed.

His runaway little witch was sound asleep. Unaware.

Hunter’s face hardened into something dangerous. “Well, well,” he whispered under his breath. “You sure have the mind to sleep soundly… while for the past three years, I’ve been burning for you.”