Daniel’s POV.
Christiana had actually let me comfort her yesterday. I could still feel the warmth of her skin against mine, the way she had let her guard down, just for a moment. It was enough to make me feel like maybe, just maybe, she was finally seeing me. Me…not the guy struggling to make it, not just some friend…me, Daniel, the man who could love her more than anyone else ever would. For the first time, it felt like Christiana was ready to let me in.
I hummed a tune as I threw on a clean shirt, looking in the mirror with a grin that hadn’t left my face since yesterday afternoon. For once, my mind was at peace, not wandering back to the what–ifs and doubts. Today, I wasn’t second–guessing everything. She had chosen me, I thought, pushing my hand through my hair and nodding at my own reflection. For once, I wasn’t the backup plan, the shoulder to cry on. I was the man she’d turned to.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted down the hall, and I stepped into the kitchen where Grandma was serving breakfast, looking up in surprise as I entered with a grin.
“Well, look at you!” She laughed, eyes crinkling with a smile. “I haven’t seen you this chipper since… well, since I can remember. What’s got you in such a good mood, Danny?“.
I grabbed a mug, unable to stop smiling. “Just… things are finally looking up, Gran. Things are starting to make sense.”
“Oh, really?” She raised a brow, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Is that ‘thing‘ a ‘someone‘ by any chance?”
My cheeks flushed, but I nodded, unable to hide it from her. “It’s Christiana. I mean, it could be. She… she let me be there for her yesterday, and it feels like maybe, finally, she’s ready to give us a chance.””
She gave me a slow, approving nod, her smile widening. “It’s about time she saw what’s right in front of her. You’d make a wonderful partner for her, Daniel. Just don’t rush her, alright? That girl’s been through a lot.”
“Of course,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though inside, I was ready to make my intentions clear. “I know she needs time, but I want to show her that I’m here. Not just for her, but for Ethan and Emma too. They’re already so special to me.”
At that, Grandma’s face softened even more. “I can see it, Danny. I can see it in the way they look at you, those little ones. They know you care, and so does she.”
I felt a swell of confidence, even if part of me was still nervous. Today, though, I was ready to push aside the self–doubt. Christiana was letting me in; she was ready, or close enough. I would ask her to take the next step with me, to make it official.
Suddenly, my little brother Jake wandered in, blinking at me in confusion. “You’re smiling like a goof. Did you win the lottery or something?”
“Nah,” I said, chuckling as I ruffled his hair. “But maybe I found something better than that.”
Jake rolled his eyes, groaning. “Ugh, this has gotta be about a girl, right? Girls are so weird.”
“Trust me, Jake,” I said with a grin, “one day, you’ll get it.”
He gave me a skeptical look before snatching a piece of toast, muttering, “I doubt it.”
As I sat down to breakfast, I felt every bit of tension start to fade Because the thought of Christiana had brightened my
mood
After breakfast, the anticipation buzzing within me made it hard to sit still. I’d been waiting for this moment, waiting for Christiana to look at me the way I had looked at her for so long. Yesterday, she’d let me comfort her; it felt like a step forward, like she was finally letting me in
Grabbing my phone. I texted her: Morning, Christiana. Hope you and the kids slept well. Thought I could swing by later…
11:10 Wed, Oct 30 BUB.
Chapter 114
白X气66%
maybe take everyone out for lunch?‘ I hit send, feeling my heartbeat quicken. It was a simple text, but it held so much more. Today wasn’t just another day. Today was a chance to show her exactly how serious I was about her, about Ethan and Emma, about a future together.
I poured myself another cup of coffee, staring at the phone, waiting for the familiar buzz of her reply. The minutes dragged on, but I didn’t let it discourage me. She might be busy, that’s all. After all, she had a lot on her plate, and I knew it better than anyone.
Finally, my phone lit up, and her name popped up on the screen. My heart gave a little leap as I opened the message: ‘Hey, Daniel. Morning to you, too. Lunch sounds good, but I’ve got some errands to run first. I’ll let you know when we’re free.‘
I smiled to myself, already picturing the kids‘ excited faces when I arrived. I could already imagine Christiana laughing at something silly I’d say, the light in her eyes ‘finally shining without any of the usual worries or shadows. Today was going to be different. Today, I would show her I was all in, that she wasn’t alone.
As the morning stretched on, I busied myself with little things, double–checking that I looked presentable, even though I knew Christiana didn’t care about that stuff. I wanted to be my best self around her, to remind her of the kind of stability, care, and loyalty I could bring into her life.
A small box sat in my pocket, its edges worn from where I’d fidgeted with it all day. It had been a spontaneous decision, one made with more feeling than thought. But for once, I didn’t care about overthinking it. Every second I spent with her, every glance, every word, seemed to etch her further into my mind. And the idea of surprising her with something special… something I felt she would like…became an irresistible thought.
The moment I saw it, I thought of her. It was simple yet elegant, something that would complement her style without being too flashy. I couldn’t stop smiling, imagining the way her eyes might light up when she saw it.
I walked into the store, scanning through rows of different options. The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow as he approached, asking if I needed assistance. But I already had my eyes on one particular piece…a delicate, silver bracelet with a single sapphire stone at its center. The gem was subtle, its color soft and deep, yet it seemed to hold an intensity that reminded me of her.
I picked it up, running a thumb over the cool surface of the sapphire. Perfect. Just like her, in so many ways.
This one,” I told the shopkeeper, grinning like an idiot as I handed it over for wrapping. He gave me an amused smile, no doubt recognizing the look on my face. People like him probably saw this kind of thing all the time…a fool who’d lost himself in someone else and was now trying, in his own way, to let that someone know.
After I left the store, I couldn’t help but smile to myself, feeling like a damn schoolboy. It was ridiculous, honestly…someone like me, standing on a busy street, grinning like I’d just won the lottery. But she had that effect on me, twisting up everything I thought I knew, making me believe, if only for a moment, that things could be different.
I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a nearby shop window. I looked… hop
eful. Maybe even happy, in a way I hadn’t been in a long time.
