He pulled out his phone, deleted the greeting he had been typing, and sighed softly. Perhaps letting go was the best choice. Seeing her happy, and seeing Niki finally have a complete family—that could be its own kind of fulfillment.
Meanwhile, in the stairwell, Alexander walked up the steps, carrying the bags. He could hear the faint rustle of toys and smell the sweet scent of pastries. They were a testament to Gian’s pure and sincere affection for Danielle and Niki.
He took out his key and opened the door. As he stepped into the living room, he was greeted by Niki’s bright laughter. Danielle was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron, while Niki, dressed in a pink princess dress, ran around the living room clutching a small teddy bear.
“Daddy!” Niki’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him, and she ran over to throw her arms around him.
Alexander set the bags down and bent to catch his daughter, pulling her into his arms. The feel of her small, soft body against his and her faint, milky scent instantly eased his tense nerves.
“Slow down, sweetie. You might fall,” he said, his voice so gentle it was almost like liquid honey.
Danielle heard the noise and came out of the kitchen. She looked surprised when she saw the bags in Alexander’s hands. “What’s this?”
“Gian dropped them off. Toys for Niki, and some pastries you like,” Alexander said, handing her the bags as he calmly recounted his encounter downstairs.
Danielle took the bags and looked inside. Sure enough, there were the delicate pastries she loved and a new Lego set—the very one Niki had been asking for at the mall.
A complex mix of gratitude and guilt washed over her.
“I should call him to say thank you,” she said, pulling out her phone, but her fingers paused, and she put it away. She knew Gian must be hurting right now, and a phone call would probably only make it worse.
Alexander nodded but didn’t leave. Instead, he walked over to her and took the spoon from her hand. “Let me help.”
Danielle hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside. They stood side-by-side in the kitchen, the atmosphere suddenly intimate. In the living room, Niki was busy with her Legos, occasionally looking up to see her parents in the kitchen, a sweet smile on her face.
This home was finally filled with a sense of life and warmth it hadn’t had in years.
Once breakfast was ready, the three of them sat around the dining table. Niki chattered excitedly about all the things she wanted to do at the amusement park, from riding the carousel to driving the bumper cars. Alexander listened patiently, nodding from time to time, his eyes filled with adoration.
Danielle watched them, a profound sense of peace settling over her. The regrets of her past life finally had a chance to be mended in this one.

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