Chapter 624
Charlie flinched, her little body shivering like a startled chick. She burrowed deeper into Luna’s arms, clinging as if she could disappear inside the warmth.
She pressed herself tightly against Luna, soaking up the only sense of safety she knew.
Even with the DNA test in hand-proof that the tall man standing before her was her real father-Charlie’s gaze toward Charles held not a hint of closeness. Only a thick, unyielding wariness, and a silent defiance that spoke volumes.
Luna, unruffled and steady, reached over to take the report from Charles’s hand.
Her eyes traced the page slowly, pausing on the line that confirmed: “Paternity supported.”
When she was sure, Luna crouched down gracefully, bringing herself eye-to-eye with the little girl nestled in her arms.
“Aurora, it’s okay. Don’t be scared.”
Her voice was soft as down, one hand gently stroking Charlie’s hair, the other wrapped firmly around her trembling frame. “See, sweetheart? That’s your daddy. Your real daddy.”
She put a gentle emphasis on “real,” her eyes flicking to Charles, then back to Charlie, voice full of warmth. “He won’t hurt you. He loves you, just like mommy does. Both of us love you more than anything, and we’ll always keep you safe.”
Charles’s heart twisted at the guarded look from his daughter. He swallowed down the ache and longing, and slowly lowered himself to a crouch, keeping what he hoped was a safe distance-just two steps, but it felt like endless miles.
He didn’t dare move closer, afraid to startle this fragile little deer. All he could do was look at her, his eyes brimming with love too fierce to hide.
He stared at Charlie, willing her to feel the longing, the guilt, the endless love in his gaze.
Charlie hesitated, Luna’s gentle but steady voice soothing her defenses.
She kept her head tucked in Luna’s neck, then, like a slow-motion scene, she started to lift it. Bit by bit, her big, damp eyes peeked out, uncertain and wary, sneaking a look at Charles as if he were some strange, unpredictable creature. “Aurora.” Luna caught the tiny shift, her voice even softer, a smile in her tone. “Say hi to Daddy, honey. He’s your daddy.”
She gave Charlie’s little hand a reassuring squeeze.
But…
The word “Daddy” seemed impossibly heavy.
Charlie shot Charles a quick, frightened glance, lips pressed in a tight line, her body shrinking back
once to gain, making no r e closer.
ét
Luna’s arm tightened just a touch, half holding, half nudging Charlie forward in small, careful steps,
guiding her toward the man whose eyes were full of hope.
Charles held his breath.
All his senses tunneled in on that tiny figure as Luna gently led her nearer.
Two small steps, but to Charles it felt like an eternity-each second thick with hope and nerves, every moment stretching out endlessly.
Finally, Charlie’s toes stopped right in front of him, close enough for him to catch the soft, sweet scent of childhood clinging to her.
Charles was strung tight as a bow, longing rippling through him.
He wanted to pull his daughter into his arms, to feel her warmth, to make up for all the lost hugs.
But the flicker of fear still in her eyes kept his arms frozen at his sides.
He didn’t dare move, barely dared breathe, terrified that even the smallest gesture would send her running.
All he could do was gaze at her, eyes shining with hope and unshed tears, silently begging his love to melt the ice between them.
One too scared to move, afraid of breaking the spell.
The other unwilling to budge, heart locked in resistance.
The air grew heavy, father and daughter standing face-to-face-so close, yet it felt
like an ocean between them.
“Aurora.”
Luna’s voice broke the heavy silence.
Her hand, still gentle on Charlie’s
back, gave t
softest but firm
nudge. “Go on, sweetheart. Giel
Daddy a hug. Just one hug, okay?”