18
it’s Daddy,” Liam said, his voice thick with emotion as he instinctively bent down, arms outstretched
to embrace his son.
But before he could pull Theodore into his arms, a firm voice interrupted them.
“Excuse me, sir, but who are you?”
Liam turned his head to see the daycare guard standing between him and Theodore, her expression cautious and protective.
Before Liam could even think of an answer, Theodore clung to his leg and insisted, “It’s Daddy! My Daddy!”
The guard frowned, confusion flashing across her face.
She clearly remembered what I had told the daycare staff when I first enrolled Theodore.
His father was gone.
But that time, standing before her was a man who looked almost identical to the little boy at that moment clinging to him.
However still, protocol was protocol.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the guard said, straightening her posture. “But even if Theodore calls you his father, we need to verify your identity.”
Liam clenched his jaw, looking down at Theodore, who was gripping his hand tightly, tears brimming in his big blue eyes.
He did not want to cause a scene, so Liam asked, his tone softer, almost pleading, “Could I just take Theo out for a little while? I promise I won’t harm him. I just…. I just want to spend time with my son.
The guards exchanged glances. One of them–an older woman–whispered to the other, “Maybe they divorced, and Dr. Amelia cut off contact? That would explain why she said he was gone.
The hesitation in their eyes told him they were torn between following the rules and listening to Theodore, who was still whining and refusing to let go of his father’s hand.
Finally, after a long pause, one of the guards sighed and nodded.
“You can take him,” she relented. “But only under two conditions. First, you must leave your phone number.
Second, we need your ID.”
Liam wasted no time handing over both.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely as he took Theodore’s small bag and slung it over his shoulder. Then, gripping Theodore’s hand tightly, he walked toward his car,
“I’m happy to see you again, Daddy,” he said with a bright smile.
He smiled and gently ruffled Theodore’s hair.
“Me too, buddy,” he murmured. “Me too.
So, at that moment, Liam found himself questioning everything.
‘What am I looking for in this world, if not to spend time with my family?‘ he thought.
For years, he had devoted himself to his work, pouring all his energy into his cases, chasing victory after victory.
But at what cost?
Even when he focused on his work, he forgot about his own wife and child.
7:44 AM cc
Forget Me Once Farm For
So, Liam silently swore to himself, “I will do everything in my power to bring our family back together.”
Liam knew he had passed one full year of milestones he would never get back.
He even had kicked him out.
That was why, all he wanted was to make up for lost time.
As Liam was lost in thought, a small, distressed voice pulled him back to reality.
“Daddy… my ice cream….”
Liam looked down to see Theodore staring at the ground, his eyes welling with tears. His cone had slipped from his hands, the melting ice cream splattered on the pavement.
Liam did not hesitate.
“I’ll buy you a new one,” he promised, taking Theodore’s hand and leading him back to the stall.
After getting a new ice cream, they continued their outing, spending time at the arcade.
Liam was determined to make that day perfect.
He helped Theodore play games, guiding his little hands over the controls. They won a few small prizes–al stuffed lion, a keychain, and some stickers.
But then, Theodore suddenly pointed at the large rabbit doll sitting among the grand prizes.
“Daddy, bunny!”
For a moment, his mind flashed back to Lucas’s room. He remembered seeing a rabbit doll there.
Had that been Theodore’s?
His fingers curled into fists as fresh hatred for Evelyn burned in his chest. ‘She didn’t just take my wife and son
from me. She took everything.”
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on the present. “You like bunnies, huh?”
Theodore nodded eagerly, eyes shining. “I like bunnies!”
Liam gave a soft chuckle and ruffled his son’s hair. “Then I’ll win it for you.”
And he did.
Meanwhile, I had just returned from counseling, exhausted but relieved that the session had gone well.
It was already evening, so I headed straight to the daycare to pick up Theodore
But when I arrived, he was not there.
I
Instead, the daycare staff handed me an ID card with a name I had long forgotten, Liam Carlisle.
My hands tightened around the card as my heart pounded. “Why is he here?”
A sharp pang of panic twisted in my chest. I immediately turned and rushed to the hospital.
The moment I pushed open the front doors, the front desk staff immediately looked up.
“Dr. Amelia,” one of them called out. “Someone was looking for you earlier.”
I showed him the ID card in my hand as I asked in a trembling voice, “Is this the one who is looking for me?
“Yes,”
So, Liam had found me? But for what?
For the
G
and Luca year, I had forced myself to believe that he was happy, that he had moved on with his life with Evelyn
And more importantly, why did he take Theodore?
Just as that terrifying thought settled in, the hospital doors swung open again.
There Liam was, holding Theodore’s hand, with an armful of toys in the other.
Without thinking, I rushed forward and snatched Theodore into my arms, holding him close.
7:44 AM c c
Forget Me Once. Farewell Forever
My voice trembled with anger and fear as I looked at the man I had once loved.
“What do you want from my son?!”
