Dani's POV
I felt my anger rise the moment I saw Raul standing there, his voice trembling and his eyes,
with what he probably thought would pass for regret. To anyone else, he might have looked
sincere, but to me, it was all a performance he put up.
I clenched my fists beside me, my nails digging into my palms. He had no right to show up and
no right to come back begging me as if time hadn't passed, as if the damage hadn't been done
to me.
The memories from my past, all hit me like a wave. The humiliation, the betrayal, the silence
that grew louder with everyday we spent under the same roof.
My chest tightened, I couldn't do this.
Without another word, I reached for the door, my fingers curved around the edge with anger. I
wasn't going to let him in, into my home or into the life I had rebuilt without him.
But just as I pushed the door with everything I got, his hand shot out and grabbed my own hand.
I tried again, pushing with everything In me, but his hands, stronger than mine, stopped me
again.
"Dani, please," he whispered, still holding my hand.
He still thought he had a place in my life. He still believed he could just show up and amend all
his mistakes.
He was wrong.
I stared at him, everything in my body screaming to throw him out of my sight, "I'm serious,
Raul, If you don't leave right now, I will call the police," I said, my voice low and firm.
His eyes looked into mine, but he still didn't move, he just stood there.
"I'm not going anywhere, Dani," he said with a stubborn voice, "And you can call whoever you
want, but I'm not leaving until you hear what I have to say." His sharp voice caught me off guard.
I exhaled sharply, remembering how stubborn he could be, back in the past. Maybe the only
way I get him to leave is by listening to what he has to say.
I stepped back,keeping just enough space between us and crossed my arms, "You have five
minutes," and I started counting within me.
Raul nodded slowly and stepped inside cautiously and I watched him take every step.
"I didn't plan for any of this to happen," he began, running a hand through his messy hair,
"Camila…..she manipulated me, she played on my weakness and she made me believe that I
was better off without the burden of you."
"Please Dani, I need you back, I…can't live without you. It's been hard. I thought Camilla….she
deceived me and fed me lies about you and I believed them all." he kept spitting his lies.
I scoffed but didn't interrupt his story.
He looked into my eyes and continued, "I was a coward, Dani, I failed you and I let her come
between us, I hate myself for that."
I stayed in silence and didn't reply to any of his words.
"Zack still misses you, every single day and he talks about you like you're still part of his world."
Something in me moved, hearing Zack's name. Flashbacks began flooding my mind, his laugh,
his clumsiness, the way he used to call me Mommy.
"Dani, please I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but at least let me fix what I can," Raul
pleaded in a low voice.
I finally opened my mouth to speak but the door suddenly opened and a familiar figure stepped
in.
Kenneth.
"Kenneth?" I called out his name in surprise.
He stepped in, wearing a charcoal suit, his presence commanding as ever.
When he entered his eyes landed on Raul, and then to me and in an instant, the relaxed
expression on his face vanished.
But Kenneth remained silent and walked over to me, placing his hands behind my back, as if to
remind Raul of my life now. I was no longer the powerless wife Raul discarded.
I smiled internally at this.
"Dani, please." Raul pleaded in a voice barely above a whisper.
I turned to Raul, "Raul, I'll consider your apology." I saw something flickered on his face, but I
cut it, "Not…. Because I want to return, rather, because I have the final say of what I want in my
life now." I quickly added.
Raul nods, "thank you Dani…Thank you, You won't regret it Dani." he spoke with excitement.
Raul didn't need to be told to leave, as he had been receiving glares from Kenneth. He shot
Kenneth a glare and then turned to me, "I'll be waiting, Dani." He then grabs the door handle
and finally leaves the room.
Just as the door shut, I let out air I didn't know I was holding.
Kenneth turned to me and cupped my cheeks. "Dani, are you truly done with your past? With
Raul showing up here like that, are you truly done?"
I nodded, "i am….I am done with that past, it's way behind me. I just had to say anything for him
to leave and he refused to leave, even when I threatened him with the police." I assured him.
He remained silent for a moment and then smiled at me, "I trust you." He said smiling.
His hand left my face and he walked around the room, "there's a charity gala coming up in a few
days time," he paused and picked a pen, "A perfect opportunity to gain recognition for your
product, what do you say?" He drops the pen and pauses waiting for my reply.
I smiled at his offer. I wouldn't miss it or the world. It was the perfect opportunity. "Of course,
Kenneth, I would love to attend the gala." I said with a very excited voice.
What we weren't aware of, was Raul's ears pressed on the door listening behind the door to
every word we spoke and with a made up resolve of attending the charity gala.