Page 44 of Shattered Union

Watching my daughter on stage, all I feel is pride. Fuck. I’ve made so many mistakes with my kids. Left them to deal with Zoe’s bullshit for far too fucking long.

Chloe is dancing up on the stage, her face bright with her blinding smile. Her feet move across the floor with ease and grace. I never knew how good she was. How much she wanted this. I've not been paying attention. That needs to change. I need to change. My focus needs to shift.

I spend more time away from the house than I should. I have to be away from Zoe and the toxicity of her being in our lives. Instead, I should take my kids with me, making sure when I'm gone, so are they. I need my kids to be happy. I need them to grow. And being around Zoe isn't doing that.

The music ends and I'm up on my feet clapping along with the rest of the families that are here watching their children with pride. The stage darkens and the curtain falls.

"Woo, Chloe." That husky lilt has my dick tightening. Turning, I watch on with a smile as my woman claps loudly, smiling brightly at my daughter. So much love on her face.

Ava's standing beside her, also smiling. Both women are staring at the stage, looking at Chloe with pride.

God, Callie. She's one in a fucking million. I've never met anyone like her before and I doubt I'll meet anyone again. She's beautiful, inside and out. The way she loves my daughter, how proud she is of her. It makes me love her even more.

Some of the family members leave. But both Callie and Ava stay standing, waiting for Chloe to come out and see her. I want nothing more than to go over to Callie and pull her into my arms and hold her tight. Let her know just how much I fucking appreciate how much she cares about my daughter.

Movement comes from my left, and I see all the girls coming from backstage.

"Callie," I hear Chloe's voice and watch as she runs up to my woman and throws her arms around her.

I move toward them, unable to keep the smile off my face. The happiness radiating from my daughter is unlike anything I've ever seen from her before.

This is what I want. Callie, my kids together.

I can envision my future, their future, Callie's future. All of us together. Callie's quirkiness, selflessness, and loving nature will help my children heal, grow, and strengthen.

I want this. Not just for me, but for them too.

"Okay, darling. I've got to go," Callie says as she glances at me. Something moves through her eyes. Worry, confusion, but ultimately happiness. She gives me a small smile, a secretive smile. "But, don't forget you've got my number if you need me."

Chloe nods, holding Callie tighter. "Thank you for coming tonight."

Callie kisses her cheek. "There's nowhere else I would rather be." The honesty in her voice is clear to hear. "I've got to go. But you did an amazing job. You looked fabulous up there. Like you belonged up there."

She's not lying. My daughter shone so fucking brightly.

Chloe grins. "Really?"

Callie nods, her smile blinding. "Really."

"Totally," Ava agrees. "You rocked it up there."

"See you soon," Callie promises, her gaze drifting to me, and there it is again, that look, the secretive smile.

I watch on as she walks away. Hating she's not with me.

This shit has to end soon. I can't keep watching her walk away.

"Come on, Da," Chloe says as she links her arm through mine. "You can buy me pizza."

I grin down at her. "Anything for you,leanbh," I say and she grins up at me.[Child]

* * *

“Are you sure about this?” Michael asks me as he drives toward the restaurant.

“There's a dinner next week. The last thing Mal needs is for the two of us to be at each other's throats,” I tell him. I’d rather slit the bastard’s throat.

“Boss,” Michael says, unable to hide his shock and distaste. “The arsehole fucked your wife—”

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