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.

you have yours?" I turn,

after what happened. I needed to get away and pull myself

"Sure" he answers.

the safety of my room, get

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

ago? Getting involved with Gabriel will only lead to disaster. I can't risk getting hurt again, no matter

bathroom. I still had a few hours to get ready and to get my emotions in

into the shower after setting it to the highest temperature. Maybe I can burn away the tingling I still felt after his hand

got enough, turned it off and got out. Wrapping a towel around my body, I open the door and

last time I had a conversation with my daughter know that she was angry with me and rightly so,

every time I tried getting close to her. Let's just say it's been a hectic week

she whispers, the sadness in her voice breaking my

answer, grabbing the clothes I had prepared

come out dressed and sit next to

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

push back the tears that threatened to fall. I gently

when I said I hated you..det was just angry, and it has taken me a while to

my voice is croaky when I

to apologize, and I hope you can forgive