Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 20

Catrina frowned and said, "Why not?"

"I don't want people to see it. Let our lives be private," Acwell reasoned.

"You don't want people to know that you have a daughter?" Catrina asked.

"Yes! And even the people around here," Acwell declared.

"Are you denying Amara?"

"I am not here to ruin her birthday. Let us not start screaming at each other."

It hurt Catrina. She wanted to argue with him but decided not to. It is her daughter's birthday. She wants her to enjoy.

The party involves games for kids, a dance presentation of mascots, and Amara blowing the candles on her cake. Before the party ends, the host asked for Amara's parents to say a few words.

"I would like to thank all of you who came. Amara enjoyed her day. Acwell and I, being her parents, couldn't be happier," Catrina said.

Acwell felt awkward about her mentioning his name. He already told her not to. She did not listen and broadcast it instead.

"I already told you not to let anyone know," Acwell whispered.

"Why? What's wrong with it? It is the truth, anyway," Catrina asked.

"We cannot keep our situation private?"

"Why are you ashamed that you are her father?"

Catrina is being loud. Acwell pulled her to the corner so they can talk away from the crowd.

"I pity Amara. She deserves parents that don't fight all the time."

"It is all your fault for walking away from her."

"I did not walk away from her. I walked away from you. And if you can't get that, I am leaving now."

Catrina was calling him to come back. But he did not even bother to turn. She tried calling him on the phone, but he won't answer. She was so furious. "Why do you always had to make things hard? Why do you choose to run from your responsibility?" she said to herself. She went back to her daughter as if nothing happened. She can't let her see how angry she is.

Acwell felt hurt. He wanted to spend more time with his daughter. He wanted her to feel that he was there for her. But Catrina keeps ruining the moment.

"Why does she have to be her mother? Why have I been that stupid?" he uttered while standing outside, waiting for a cab.

He felt like he needed alcohol after that argument. He wanted it to calm his nerves. But remember his family at home waiting for him. He went home.

Acwell, at some point, would think about his daughter. His heart aches to some extent that such fun and peaceful kind of relationship he could not give to his daughter. What's more, he is not seeing her, and not being with her is more preferable for him right now. Anyone, even him, sometimes wonders why he could be this cruel to his innocent daughter.

"I did not mean to do this to you. I wished you would see it differently someday," he thought.

Kamiah and her family stayed a month in the Philippines. And it was great as it brought them closer to each other. And they were able to relax and just focus on being a family and taking care of their son.

When the vacation was over, everyone was sad, especially the grandmas. It is time for Kamiah and her family to leave and go back to Dubai.

On the day they arrived, Acwell received a message from Catarina. It was expected, but it was unpleasant for him to read.

"Acwell, it's been a month. What happened to you? You did not visit Amara nor send the money to help me raise her."

"Visit her at least, for God's sake, she is already here, and you still find an excuse not to."

Acwell still ignores her. He just arrived, and he doesn't want any drama from her. But Acwell dreamed of Amara that night that when he wakes up, he was feeling guilty. So, he replied to Catrina's messages.

"I will be sending you the money within this day. I just came back from vacation that I was not able to visit her. Maybe on my next off, I could pass by for an hour."

"Oh! So you decided to went on vacation and leave your daughter. That is great! And now, you will only see her for an hour? What kind of a father!"