Page 2 of Only With You

No fucking way!It’s too bad she assumes that by using Mili as a bait, she can blackmail me into staying with her under one roof. If she thinks I will play house with her, she has another think coming. I am itching to give her my piece of mind, but I refrain. Not with Mili in the same room. Wrangling with her about this will only upset Mili. But once I have the little one out of earshot, I will surely let her know what I think about her ridiculous suggestion.

“Not now,” I snap. “We are not having this discussion in front of Mili,” I add.

“She’s only five!” she retorts. “I doubt she will understand what we’re talking about,” she points out.

“I am still not doing this with Mili in the same room.” I grit my teeth.

She lifts her hands in the air. “You are so damn infuriating.”

I clutch my chest with one hand. “I am so hurt to hear that is what you think of me,” I mock her, making her seethe. “And as much as I’d like to continue our chit-chat, my daughter needs my attention.”

Leaving her stuck at her spot, I walk towards Mili with the cake plate in my hand.

“Ranveer…” Soha shouts, stomping her feet but I pay no heed. I am in no mood to stroke her tantrum.

“Can I watch cartoon while I eat my cake?” Mili asks, making puppy eyes when I stand in front of her. It’s hard for me to deny anything to her.

“Of course, Princess. Come, let me show you the room.” I smile as I place the plate in her hands and then lift her in my arms.

Mili’s face brightens. “You are the best daddy!”

“Anything for my princess.” I kiss her cheek and walk towards the door when Soha’s voice stops me.

“I will be waiting here to have our conversation.”

I head out of the kitchen, not commenting on that because if I need to have this talk, then having a cool head is a must, no matter how much she drives me up the wall.

Stepping into the guest room with Mili, I make her sit gently on the queen-sized bed.

“Princess, will you be okay here for some time while Daddy and Mommy have their talk?” I ask.

She looks up and nods her head. “Yes.”

“We will have pizza for dinner.” I tap her nose.

Mili’s eyes light up and she beams. “I was really craving for a pizza.”

“I know, Princess. Then pizza it is.” I grin.

Her long lashes flutter, and she launches herself into my arms. “I missed you, Daddy.”

My heart beats rapidly. I hate this situation and don’t know what to do for her. I can imagine how hard it must be for her to not have both her parents under the same roof. I run my hand over her hair. “I missed you too, Princess. You mean the world to Daddy, Mili. Never forget that.”

She nods her head against my chest as she clutches at my arms. I hold her tight. While I can’t fix the fact that I can give her the family she desires for, I can surely give her immense love and hope it fills the void. Pulling apart from the hug, I settle her on the bed as I pick up the remote from the bedside and turn on the television, switching to the channel playing her favourite cartoon. Kissing her on her forehead one last time, I walk out of the room.

“Time for our conversation,” Soha says as soon as I enter the kitchen. She is standing at the same spot where I left her earlier.

“What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t I make myself clear to never set foot in my house?” I holler, my feet wide apart as I cross my hands over my chest and pin her with a stare as I try to figure out her real intentions.

“Is that the way to talk to your child’s mother?” she jibes as she walks past me in the living room. With a groan, I follow her as she makes herself comfortable on the couch, with one leg crossed over the other.

“Cut the crap, Soha, and simply let me know what the fuck you want.”

She clears her throat and shifts in her seat. “I want your help.”

Finally. I sit down on the couch opposite her and peer into her eyes. “And how the hell can I help you?”

“I need money.”

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