Ex-Husband's Regret

Lilly was staring at us, her eyes shifting from me to her father. I see the questions in them. The curiosity concerning me and Gabriel.

Like I said, this wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to be attracted to Gabriel after all these years apart. I honestly thought that I'd with my attraction to him. That his treatment of me years ago, had killed everything I had felt for him.

How wrong I was. Here I am, years later, almost kissing him. I feel terrible that I had allowed that one moment of weakness. That I'd allowed myself to be lured by the cravings of my body.

"Were you two about to kiss?" Lilly asks innocently, and I can't help the sharp inhale that I take.

My mind was a mess. I didn't know what to tell her. Should I just tell her the truth? Even so, it's not like I can lie when she literally caught us red-handed.

"Uhm-uhm-" I struggle to find the right words to tell her.

At the back of my mind, I was also worried. Liam is the only man Lilly has ever seen me kiss. The only man, other than Gabriel who has been in my life. What if I say 'yes' and she takes it the wrong way? I know that Gabriel has been trying to build a relationship with her, but for more than five years, Liam has been her dad. I just don't want her thinking that I'm betraying the man who raised her, even though now am married to her biological father.

"Yes" The answer to her question comes from Gabriel.

I turn and glare at him. What is he thinking admitting it to her like that? What is he thinking admitting it in the first place?

Part of me wants to just ignore the whole thing. Pretend that that mistake didn't happen. I am embarrassed that Lilly caught us, but more importantly, I am embarrassed that, at that time, I'd wanted him to kiss me. Craved for him to seal our lips together.

"Oh, okay... can I have breakfast?" she asks, sitting down on one of the bar stools at the kitchen counter.

I couldn't tell what she was thinking because her emotions were well hidden. I desperately wanted to know, but deep down I know I can't push her. Not now anyway, when she still hadn't forgiven me for lying about her dad.

while you have yours?" I

I needed to get away

"Sure" he answers.

quickly drop my mug in the sink, and leave the kitchen. I rush to the safety of my room, get in and lock the door behind me. Leaning against it before sliding

over again years ago. This is the man that broke me and shattered my heart into a million pieces. He did everything to destroy me. Everything to hurt me.

ago? Getting involved with Gabriel will only lead to disaster. I can't risk getting hurt again, no matter how much it seems he has

wipe the tears and head to my bathroom. I still had a few hours to get ready and

to the highest temperature. Maybe

it off and got out. Wrapping a towel around my body, I open the door and get out. I am surprised to find Lilly

had a conversation with my daughter know that she was angry with me and rightly so, but every time she ignored me, it drove a dagger deeper

away every time I tried getting close to her.

we talk?" she whispers, the sadness in

I answer, grabbing the clothes I had prepared before rushing to

later, I come out dressed and sit

to say, sorry" she says in a small voice. "I know I was angry, but I shouldn't have treated

rapidly, I try to push back the tears that threatened to fall. I

hated you..det was just angry, and it

croaky when I say

can