I Can't Escape The Baby's Father After Returning Novel - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Isn’t That Daddy?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Are you done, Daddy? I want you to play with me soon.” Millie’s sweet voice broke the awkward atmosphere in the dining room.

I, who was eating, choked. I coughed and my face blushed. I heard Mike cough too. Mom, who was behind Millie, widened her eyes in shock. Mike and I looked at each other.

“Baby, why do you call Uncle Mike Daddy?” Mom asked Millie gently.

“Is he my father? I look like him. He loves me, and I love him. Uncle Mike, would you be my father?” she replied shyly. She looked sad and hopeful.

My throat felt so tight I couldn’t even swallow. I stood up and ran to the bathroom. I locked myself in there and let my tears fall. | covered my mouth to stifle my sobs. I slid off the floor and sobbed.

I was too busy hiding what I felt for Mike and my fear. I forgot how my daughter felt. She must have thought of Mike as her father. Was I a bad mother? Was it right to deprive my daughter of her love for her father?
Was it right for me not to tell Mike the truth?

I was sobbing when I heard a soft knock on the door. Then, I heard Mike asking me to open the door.

“Melanda? Baby, open the door,” he asked softly.

“Mike, I’m fine. Please give me a minute. I’ll be out in a few minutes, okay?” I told him tearfully.

“Melanda, please open the door. You’re clearly not well, dear. Please open the door,” he pleaded. I think he was sitting on the floor too, with his back against the wall beside the door.
“Baby?” he shouted again.

I sighed and gently opened the door. I peeked outside and saw him with his back against the door. Our gazes met and I saw the emotion in his eyes. My eyes welled up with tears. He cursed and stood up. He walked
into the bathroom and sat beside me. He carried me to his knees and placed my head on his neck.

I cried so hard. I cried for us, for my daughter, for him. He held me tightly and let me cry. His lips stayed on my head. He was stroking my back while he whispered sweet nothings in my ear.
“Honey, stop. I was shocked, but if she would call me Daddy, that would be great. I don’t mind at all. You don’t have to be sad about that, honey,” he soothed me as he wiped my tears with his thumb.

“I just didn’t expect her to say that and want you to be her father. I was too busy with my life to pay attention to my daughter’s needs. She needed a father. I couldn’t even tell her who he was, because I was afraid. He
didn’t know, Mike. He didn’t know it was me that night. He was drunk. And he had a girlfriend,” I told him while hoping he understood what I meant.

“Honey, the more you tell him, the better. He should know that because of his irresponsible alcoholism, he defiled an innocent girl. You shouldn’t make excuses for him, baby. He should act like a man and take the
blame,” he said resentfully.

“Mike, I have to tell you something,” I whispered with my face buried in his neck.
“What is it, baby?” Before I could say anything, I heard someone knock on the door.

“Mike, someone’s looking for you. She said she’s your girlfriend.” Both of us stiffened. I felt like someone had splashed cold water on me. | almost told Mike the truth, but forgot about his girlfriend. I got up and left
Mike’s lap.

I heard him curse and touch his head lightly with my fingers. He banged his head against the wall and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was looking at me dejectedly. He reached out and touched my face.
“I have to go talk to her, baby. I’ll come back later or call you, okay? You haven’t told me what you’re going to tell me. I’m sorry, baby. I have to go.” I nodded and smiled sadly at him.

“Thank you, Mike. Thank you for everything,” I told him. He pulled me up and hugged me tightly. When we heard another knock, we were lost in thought and emotion. We let go and stared at each other. He kissed my
forehead affectionately and placed his forehead on mine. Then he kissed my lips before he went out.

I felt heart-broken and confused. How could I forget that he was already taken? I almost made a mistake and told him the truth. I couldn’t ruin his future, his happiness, and hurt Hannah. I was dead meat, right? But
Mike’s touch and kiss felt so real, so right. Should I fight for him? Should I tell him how I really felt?.