Damon didn't want what had happened to wear him down. He just wanted to be with his daughter and believe that everything was alright.
He reached out and gently touched her cheek.
The three-year-old immediately pushed his hand away with both of hers.
A soft awkward smile appeared on his face.
"Ranar my dear, don't be mad. I promise I didn't forget you. In fact, I was trying to get you a gift."
She turned slightly in his direction.
Her eyes looked sad but firm.
"I... didn't want a gift. I just wanted you to come back."
The words were spoken in her small infantile voice, yet they struck Damon harder than any blade.
He felt his heart sting.
For once he genuinely didn't know what to say.
Slowly he began to stand.
The moment he did, Ranar's eyes widened.
She immediately grabbed his clothes with both hands.
The firmness in her expression crumbled.
Tears clouded her golden eyes.
"Don't go. I... I forgive you. Don't leave me."
Her voice broke near the end.
Damon froze.
