Life wasn't moving well for Anthony, especially now that his business was at its peak. For four whole years, he had managed fatherhood without his omega, but lately, things were becoming too heavy — work, his daughter, and his family all demanded more than he could give.
It was early morning, and Anthony was preparing his daughter, Allia, for daycare. Just as he was fastening her shoes, his phone rang.
"Morning, Anthony. We've got a problem," Benny, his best friend and co-owner of the business, said the moment Anthony answered — not even waiting for a greeting.
"What's the problem that made you call me this early, Benson? Tell me."
"A customer came in complaining that the repairs we did on his car were faulty. He's demanding a refund — or else he'll sue us."
Anthony frowned. He needed to be at the shop, but he also had to drop Allia off at daycare. He let out a small groan.
"I'll be there in thirty minutes. Let me drop Allia first, then I'll come handle it," he said.
Pleased with the answer, Benny hung up. Anthony quickly packed Allia's things for the day and hurried out of the house, checking the time — he was already late.
But things didn't go as planned. He reached the shop an hour later, delayed by heavy traffic after leaving Allia's school — and a minor accident that held him up even longer.
When he finally arrived, the customer had already left, and Benny didn't look happy.
"Man, Anthony, what took you so long? The guy's gone, but I had to give him a refund — he was serious about suing us."
Anthony didn't respond. He didn't have the energy to explain; exhaustion had already settled deep in his bones, even though the day had barely started.
Later that afternoon, he received a call from Allia's school — she had developed a fever and needed to be picked up. Unable to leave work, Anthony asked his sister Maria to help.
When he finally decided to break off early to check on his daughter, he was already drained.
As he parked in front of the three-storied house, his eyes caught the white roses by the gate — the ones his late partner had planted during her pregnancy. The sight pulled at his chest, reopening old wounds. Regret and pain lingered like shadows, but his daughter remained his one source of light.
He let out a long sigh, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.
Inside the house, the sight that met him stopped him in his tracks.
Allia was curled up asleep on the couch, her tiny legs tucked to her chest and an old camera resting near her head. She was shivering slightly.
Anthony quietly knelt beside her and brushed his hand through her hair.
"Oh, Anthony, you're back," Maria said, stepping into the living room from the kitchen. "Allia wasn't feeling well when I picked her up, so I made some porridge. She must've fallen asleep waiting for it."
"Thanks, Maria," Anthony replied softly, accepting the bowl from her. "I'll take it from here."
Maria stayed to help with dinner before heading home. After tucking Allia into bed, Anthony finally went to his own room. He took a shower and was about to lie down when a small figure appeared in the doorway — Allia, clutching her stuffed rabbit in one hand and sucking her thumb.
"Daddy, can I sleep with you?" she asked, her big blue eyes glistening under the dim light.
"Of course, honey. Come here," he said, lifting her into his arms and laying her on the bed.
As they settled under the covers, Allia looked up at him.
"Daddy, where's my mommy? The kids at school talk about their mommies, but I don't have one. Why?"
The question was innocent — yet it pierced straight through him. Anthony's throat tightened as silent tears rolled down his cheeks. He held her close, the ache in his heart swelling with every breath.
Allia soon drifted off to sleep, her soft snores filling the room. But Anthony stayed awake, staring into the darkness, haunted by the past he wish he could change.
The next day at the workshop, Anthony looked terrible. The dark circles under his eyes said everything — he hadn't slept a wink. Benny noticed the moment he walked in and wasn't pleased to see his friend spiraling like that.
Anthony sat at his desk in the small office at the back of the shop, staring blankly at the papers in front of him. He tried to focus on work, but his mind kept drifting back home — to his sick daughter, who he had left in Maria's care.
The sound of Benny's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Anthony, you look like shit. Did you get any sleep at all last night?"
Anthony leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Oh yeah, slept like a baby," he replied sarcastically, a tired smirk tugging at his lips.
Benny let out a loud laugh. "Ha-ha, very funny. But seriously, man — what's going on with you? You've been moody and snappy these past few days. Is it about Allia being sick?"
Anthony didn't have an answer. He didn't want to spill all his worries, afraid they'd make him look weak. He waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing's wrong — just a bad day. It happens to everyone, so stop pestering me and get back to work."
Benny frowned but let it go — for the moment. Anthony watched him leave, knowing deep down that his friend wasn't done with the subject.
His intuition was right. Half an hour later, Benny was back — this time with a frown and a few papers in hand.
"Man, look — you signed the wrong documents again. That's the third time today. Seriously, what's going on? Tell me. Maybe I can help."
Anthony sighed heavily. For a moment, he considered brushing him off again, but something in Benny's voice made him pause. Maybe his friend was right — maybe he did need advice.
After half an hour of venting everything that had been piling up in his mind, Anthony felt a little lighter.
Benny crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. "Hmm… I think the best way to solve this is to get a nanny for Allia."
Anthony nearly choked. "I don't think that's a good idea. I don't like the thought of a stranger taking care of my daughter — and besides, my sister's been helping."
"Dude," Benny said flatly, "your sister has a life too. She's not going to help you forever."
Anthony knew Benny was right, but to him, asking for help still felt like admitting failure. He grumbled under his breath.
"What was that?" Benny asked, arching a brow.
Anthony sighed. "I'll think about it."
That seemed to satisfy Benny — for now.
When closing time came, Benny told Anthony to head home and leave the rest to him. Anthony agreed, too drained to argue, and drove home in silence.
That night, Benny's words kept echoing in his mind. Maybe it really was time to get help. With a deep breath, he got out of bed, turned on his computer, and contacted a nanny agency.
When the form was sent, he leaned back in his chair and murmured a quiet prayer.
"Please, God… let this not be a bad decision."