Chapter 412 In the Name of the Father
Edward's eyes were locked on mine, his voice sincere. "Diana, I know Alaric's been great for you and Skylar. From the outside, he seems perfect. But I'm Skylar's dad, and my feelings for you are just as strong as his."
I looked down, my fingers tracing patterns on the tablecloth. Slowly, I started to speak.
"I get how you feel. Over the years, other kids had both their parents, but Skylar only had me. Every time I saw the disappointment in her eyes, it broke my heart. Skylar and I have faced everything together. Now, suddenly letting someone else in... I just don't know how to handle it."
Edward's brow furrowed, his eyes full of concern. He reached out as if to take my hand but stopped halfway.
"Diana, I know I messed up in the past. But look at Skylar now. She likes being around me, wants me at her events, even shares her food with me. She's starting to accept me. What she really needs is a dad, someone who'll be there no matter what. I want to be that person, to give her the fatherly love she deserves."
I lifted my head, a hint of conflict in my eyes, my voice shaky. "I know Skylar's happy, and that makes me happy too. I admit she needs a dad. But I'm worried. I don't want to get hurt again, and I'm scared my choices might mess up Skylar's future."
Edward took a deep breath, his tone more sincere, his eyes hopeful. "Diana, give me another chance. Let me show you with my actions that I can give you both a happy future. I promise I'll never leave you again."
Silence hung between us, the restaurant's soft music now an annoying background noise, adding to my inner turmoil.
Skylar, oblivious to the tension, kept eating her kids' meal, occasionally humming a little tune. Her innocent demeanor reminded me of my own past hopes for life.
After Skylar finished eating, the three of us left the restaurant.
Skylar skipped ahead, stopping now and then to admire the flowers or chase a butterfly.
Edward followed closely, his eyes full of affection, watching her every move, ready to catch her if she stumbled.
I trailed behind them, my heart a mix of anxiety and a glimmer of hope.
Just then, I spotted a familiar figure in the distance. It was Fiona, heading straight towards us.
Her eyes held a mix of surprise and anger.
My heart tightened, my recently calmed nerves now in disarray.
Fiona's hurried steps made her heels clack loudly against the pavement. She stopped right in front of us, her eyes locked on Edward, ignoring me and Skylar completely.
Edward's smile disappeared, replaced by shock and embarrassment. He stiffened, instinctively moving closer to shield Skylar and me.
"Edward, what the hell are you doing?"
Fiona's accusatory tone drew the attention of passersby, but she didn't care. She glared at Edward, then cast a disdainful glance at Skylar and me.
Skylar, with her big, innocent eyes, looked at Fiona. Fiona had occasionally brought her small gifts, so Skylar had a good impression of her.
She greeted her warmly, "Ms. Griffin, you're here too! Today, Mom and Mr. Howard took me to a sports event. Look, we won medals and prizes."
Skylar eagerly showed Fiona her medal and gifts.
Fiona ignored Skylar's enthusiasm and didn't take the gifts. Her focus remained on Edward.
"You know how I feel about you and how much I've sacrificed for your career. And now you want to get back with Diana and start a new life with this child?"
Fiona's voice trembled with emotion, her eyes reddening.
Edward's brow furrowed deeply, his face full of helplessness.
He looked at me, then at Skylar, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"Fiona, things between Diana and me have always been complicated. Skylar is my daughter, and that's a fact that won't change. I want to give them a complete family."
Fiona's emotions erupted. "So what if Skylar is your daughter? What about everything I've done for you? You regained everything with my help, and now you want to leave me for Diana? How is that fair to me?"
She pointed at me, her eyes filled with resentment.
I stood there, feeling uneasy.
I gently took Skylar's hand, pulling her close. "Fiona, it's not what you think. Edward just wants to provide a good environment for Skylar. We're not back together."
Skylar, sensing the tension, clung to me, whispering, "Mom, why is Ms. Griffin so angry?"
Fiona ignored my explanation, her anger directed at Edward.
"Edward, you can't be this selfish. I've invested so much in your projects. Now you want to cut ties with me for them? Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Edward's face turned serious. "Fiona, you can't force feelings. I hope you understand that I want to make up for what I owe Diana and Skylar. As for the projects, I'll continue to do my part. But can you really talk about fairness after what you and Nicholas did?"
Fiona's shoulders shook, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I won't accept this. I won't accept you two getting back together or any form of cooperation between you!"
Fiona's hysterical outburst seemed to explain why she and Nicholas had teamed up against Edward and David.
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