Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 23

Acwell only smiled when Catrina opened the door. Catrina's face brightened, and she said, "Come in!"

He entered and found Amira playing on the floor with her dolls.

"How is she?" Acwell asked.

"She is doing great and getting smarter every day," Catrina said.

Acwell walked towards Amira and sat beside her.

"Hi, little bird! How are you?" he said.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Amara replied with a smile and a clap.

Acwell and Catrina laughed.

Amara showed Acwell her dolls, and he tried to play with her. Catrina joined, and they all started playing and had fun.

By lunchtime, all of them were hungry. Acwell offered to order some food. He ordered some chicken adobo, grilled boneless milkfish, chop suey, and steamed rice. Catrina gave some sandwiches to Amara while waiting for the delivery to come.

The food arrived after 30 minutes. While eating, Catrina was chatty, but Acwell is not really in the mood to talk.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Acwell said after all of them were finished eating.

"Sure. Let me put Amara on the sofa so she can watch cartoons while we talk," Catrina said.

Acwell remained seated at the dining table and waited for Catrina to come back.

"What is it, Acwell?" Catrina said.

"Sit down first," Acwell said.

Catrina sat and look at him.

"First, I am sorry if I did let you struggle to raise Amara by yourself. I did not mean to. And you did an excellent job of doing it. I wish Amara's father would have been different so he could stay with her."

Acwell paused. Catrina was happy with the first few words then got hurt with the last things he said. But she remained quiet because she wanted him to finish what he was saying.

"I don't want us to keep arguing for the sake of her. So, maybe it will help if I tell you that I am already married, Catrina, and I have a son as well. I can no longer be with you, so please stop using Amara just for us to get back together. It will not happen."

Catrina could not help, and tears start falling from her eyes. "Why did you do that? When you know you have her?"

"Catrina, you have to understand that having her doesn't mean that it will work between us. We tried before, and it didn't."

Catrina sobbed even louder. Amara looked at her but went back to watching cartoons.

"I think I have to go now. I am sorry," Acwell said and walked to Amara. He kissed her, and she smiled. Then, he heads towards the door.

Catrina continued sobbing, but she lowered her voice so Amara could not hear her. She felt so betrayed and used. But what hurts more is that she still loves him even though he is already married.

Acwell feels hurt thinking that it might be the last time he will ever see his daughter. But he hopes that Catrina can find a better man for her. So, Amira could have a chance to experience having a good father by her side.

He still can't go home because of the way he feels. He decided he will not go to work the following day, so he send a message to his superior giving him some excuse. Then, he contacted Ace, and they drank the whole night.

Acwell went home at 05:30 in the morning. He finds Kamiah already awake and preparing to go to work. She was not smiling as he knows she was not happy with him drinking and coming home lately always.

"Good morning, Love! I am not going to work today," he said, smiling at her.

"And so? That's not giving me any reason to be happy with what you are doing," Kamiah said.

"I am sorry. What can I say, it's not easy to change."

"You are a father now, and you can't even think about your son. You barely even have time for him because you are too busy drinking. And you are giving me that excuse."