Chapter 92

Chapter 92
Genevieve

“Is Stella missing me?” he asked, eyes fixed on the road.

I drew a shaky breath.

I’d thought she’d forget him in a few days—like she forgot her friends from abroad.

But no.

She remembered Alonzo clearly.

She even asked about him just two days ago.

“Yes…” I nodded. “She missed you.”

He turned his head toward me.

“And you? Did you miss me?”

His gaze burned holes straight through my skin.

I hated that I did.

I missed him so much.

Every night I dreamed of him all over me.

Every time my hand slid between my legs, I thought only of him.

I hated how my body craved for him every night that I ended up masturbating and moaning his name. 

The car screeched to a halt at our apartment. He'd driven like he wanted to teleport there in a heartbeat. 

I stared at his reckless speed.

He killed the engine and stepped out. He circled the car within a blink, and yanked my door open.

“Come out,” he ordered.

“Wait…” I said. “I told Stella you went abroad. I hope you say the same.”

His brows shot up.

“Oh… so that’s what you told Stella…” His voice turned ice-cold again.

“Then what do I tell her about you?”

I froze. Saying it out loud felt wrong.

How could I tell Stella that her “Uncle Alonzo” was with his mistress? He got bored of playing a family man and now fucking different women on his bed. 

We reached the apartment. The moment we stepped inside, Stella flung the door open.

She stared at Alonzo like she was in a dream.

Rubbing her eyes, she gawked at us in disbelief.

“Is that… Uncle Alonzo?” she screamed, and bolted toward him.

Her little arms wrapped tight around his legs, face pressed against him.

My eyes filled with tears.

I’d lied to her so many times in the past month.

I turned away, wiping my eyes fast so she wouldn’t see.

I’d dodged every mention of his name for weeks, but now, watching them, the tears came anyway.

Alonzo dropped to his knees. His eyes didn’t blink once.

He stared into Stella’s face, touched the tip of her nose, ran his fingers through her hair—like he still couldn’t believe she was real.

“I must be a fool…” he muttered. “The biggest fool in the world… I didn’t recognize her. My own flesh…”

Then he laughed.

A wild, broken laugh that bounced off the walls of our tiny room.

I stared at him.

Even Stella shrank back. She clutched  my leg.

“Mommy… What happened to Uncle Alonzo? Why is he laughing like that?”

“Don’t call me Uncle… Call me Dad.”

The second the words left his mouth, Stella’s eyes went wide as saucers. She whipped around to me, bewildered.

“What? Dad?”

Alonzo gently took her little arms in his hands and nodded, barely containing the tremor of joy in his voice.

This wasn’t the father-daughter reunion I’d ever pictured.

“Yes. I’m your father, Stella. No more Uncle Alonzo.” His chest swelled with pride. “Call me Dad.”

“Dad…” Stella squealed and flung herself at him, tiny arms locking around his neck.

Alonzo froze for a heartbeat. A single tear slipped down his cheek.

I never thought the man who only knew rage could look so undone by love.

“Now my classmates won’t make fun of me…” Stella sobbed, her small body shaking.

Alonzo scooped her up, cradling her close.

“What? Made fun of you? Who?” His brows slammed together.

All I saw now was a father ready to burn the world for his child.

“My classmates… the girl I hit that day… lots of kids. They always called me fatherless. Because you never came to school.”

Her words hit me like a slap. I froze.

Alonzo’s eyes snapped to mine, sharp as knives.

“You didn’t tell me she was being bullied.”

I shook my head, throat tight. “I didn’t know.”

Stella had only just confessed it—right here, right in front of him. I could’ve talked to her class teacher if I had known. 

“Once they know who her father is, they’ll never mess with her again.”

Alonzo’s lips curled into a dark smirk as his eyes locked on mine.

I pressed my lips tight.

That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

I didn’t want Stella turning into some mafia princess.

I had to set boundaries with Alonzo—now—about our daughter.

“Stella, you need to rest. You just got home from school.”

I reached for her and gently pulled her from his arms.

Stella shook her head stubbornly.

“No, Mommy… I want to play with Daddy. I missed him so much…”

She grabbed a toy and darted back to him.

I exhaled sharply.

“Stella.” My voice hardened. “Nap time. No playing.”

She pouted, shoved the toy aside, and trudged to her room.

Alonzo’s eyes narrowed—he knew I’d sent her away on purpose.

“What’s wrong with you? Why force her to sleep?” His brows slammed together.

“Oh, I get it. You want to keep my daughter away from me so you can line up a new daddy while her real father’s still breathing?”

The sarcasm dripped like venom.

He was still seething about Noah.

“I told you it’s nothing like that..” I said, glanced at the door and made sure Stella was asleep.

His expression darkened. His jaw clenched.. I could see the flicker of excitement dying in his eyes.

“Then what? I’m seeing my daughter after so long, and you are sending her away.” 

“Actually…” I scratched the back of my neck. There was a bit of hesitation in my tone. “We just need to discuss some rules.”

“Rules?” He turned toward me. His brows furrowed.

Alonzo never lived by rules. He made them, broke them, rewrote them—all according to his will. The word alone irritated him.

“What rules?” he asked. 

He stepped closer and the space between us vanished. His breath was now hitting my skin. I knew he just wanted to intimidate me. 

To scared me off.

I refused to step back. “You can’t tell her you’re her real father.”

“What? What did you just say?” His voice dropped low. 

It’s not like he didn’t hear me. It’s just that he gave me another chance to change my statement. Or a chance to save my life. 

“Don’t tell her you’re her real father.” I repeated. Firmly. 

His eyes narrowed in disbelief then flashed right behind. 

“Are you out of your damn mind?” He grabbed my shoulder. Sharp enough to cause pain but not to break bone.

“I don’t know how she’ll react,” I said. She’s too young. Too innocent for this truth.”

I didn’t know how I would explain to her if she asked how Alonzo is her real father. I was too scared to explain.

He let out a harsh, humorless laugh. “Too innocent? She’s my blood. My daughter.” His hands released my shoulder with a shove. “If you’re not telling her, I will.” 

He stepped ahead but I blocked his way. 

“You want her to keep calling me uncle? Are you fucking serious, Genevieve? I am not ready for this. Never.” 

I pressed my lips. If he was refusing my first rule, I didn’t know how he would agree with others.