Behind My Ex-husband Cold Eyes

Ridgehaven, Three Years Later

Tiana Wolfe pulled into the narrow driveway of her childhood home, the past loomed just beneath the surface- quiet, waiting.

The cottage looked exactly the same. Faded white paint clung stubbornly to the wood, and ivy curled up the sides like it belonged there. The rosebushes her mother once tended with pride now drooped under their own weight. Time had paused here, even if her own life had been in constant motion. In the back seat, a small figure shifted beneath a pink blanket.

Ivy.

Her daughter's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her tiny lips parted in sleep. She was five now, curious and bright, and full of questions Tiana never had the strength-or the permission-to answer. Especially about him.

Sebastian Wolfe.

Even in her thoughts, his name carried weight. The man she had once loved. The man she had once feared. The man who, until now, had no idea he had a daughter.

Tiana opened the car door, bracing herself against the late autumn wind. It stung her cheeks and pulled at the hem of her coat as if trying to tug her back to where she came from. But she couldn't run this time. Not with her mother in the hospital, not with Ivy asking about family, not with fate clearly deciding it was time for the past to resurface.

The front door opened before she could knock.

Eli stood in the entryway, arms crossed, the worry on his face doing nothing to hide the fatigue in his eyes.

"She's resting," he said quietly, referring to their mother. "But... we have a problem."

Tiana stilled. "What kind of problem?"

Eli hesitated, then stepped aside to let her in. The silence between them stretched like a thread pulled taut.

"Sebastian's in town," he said at last.

The name hit her like a blow to the chest.

"He knows you're back."

Tiana stood frozen in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest. The name Sebastian felt like a distant thunderclap, one she had managed to ignore for three years. But now it was here, rattling her bones, forcing her to face everything she thought she'd buried.

"Sebastian..." she whispered the name to herself, barely able to keep it from escaping in a breathless exhale.

Eli watched her carefully, his jaw clenched. He knew she wasn't ready to hear it, but there was no avoiding it. "He showed up this morning. Said he's been trying to find you. I don't know how he knew you'd be here, but..." He trailed off, his voice low, like he didn't quite believe the words either.

Tiana's stomach dropped. "How is he involved in this?" She felt like she was suffocating. The thought of seeing him again, after everything they'd been through, felt impossible. And yet, here she was, standing on the precipice of it all.

Eli stepped aside, ushering her into the small house. The soft scent of lavender and chamomile lingered in the air, memories of her mother's soothing touch. But the warmth of the house didn't chase away the chill settling into her bones. The room felt too familiar. Too full of ghosts.

She glanced at Ivy, still peacefully asleep in the back seat. What would she think of him? she wondered. Tiana had never told her about her father. The hurt was too fresh, too real. How could she explain a man who was everything to her once but now a stranger?

"I don't want to see him," Tiana said quietly, more to herself than to Eli. She turned away, feeling the weight of everything she had worked to forget pressing in on her.

Eli's voice stopped her. "He's here for more than just you, Tiana."

Tiana froze, her back to him. More than just me?

She turned slowly, meeting his gaze. "What do you mean?"

"He's asking about Ivy."

The room seemed to tilt on its axis. Tiana's knees felt weak. Ivy? He couldn't be serious. "What for?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Eli looked uncomfortable, as though the conversation itself was something he wasn't supposed to have. "I don't know. But he's demanding to see her. Says he has a right. Something about a claim he's been ignoring all these years."

Tiana's breath caught. "A claim? What kind of claim?" Her mind raced as she pieced together what little she knew. Sebastian had never once reached out. Never once seemed to care about anything that came after their marriage, and yet now... now, he was making demands.

"He wants to acknowledge her. He wants to see her. As if it matters now," Eli said, his frustration clear. "But it's not just about that. It's about something deeper. Something we're missing. You're the only one who can find out what it is."

Tiana closed her eyes, her mind reeling. She hadn't asked for this. Hadn't asked for any of it. She had built a life without him, free from his control, his silent judgment, his presence. But what if he's right? What if Ivy deserves to know her father?

And yet, she couldn't shake the memory of their last night together-the final argument that ended with words too sharp to heal, with promises broken beyond repair. She had left not just because of the affair, but because of the coldness between them. Sebastian had pulled away before, but that night had been the breaking point.

"I can't do this." The words left her lips before she even realized what she was saying.

"You don't have a choice," Eli said gently, his tone more sympathetic now. "It's already happening, Tiana. And if you don't face it, it's just going to haunt you even more."

Tiana glanced back toward the window, toward the world beyond. The world that had kept her running all this time. Could she face him again? Could she bear the storm of emotions that would inevitably follow?

She took a deep breath, bracing herself for the inevitable. "Where is he?" she asked, her voice a little steadier now.

"In the living room," Eli said. "He's been here for over an hour. I don't know how he found out, but he's not leaving without answers."

Tiana nodded, her mind already processing the confrontation. The pieces of her life, carefully put back together, now felt like a fragile house of cards, ready to tumble the moment she stepped into that room.

With a final glance at Ivy, who stirred in her sleep, Tiana walked past Eli and into the heart of the house. The air felt thick, and every step she took made the distance between her and her past shorter.

Sebastian.

It had been three years.

Three long years since she'd walked away, since she'd slammed the door behind her, telling herself she would never, never be the same woman again.

But what if she was wrong? What if the man standing in her living room still had the power to destroy everything?

Tiana stood frozen at the doorway of the living room, her hand still resting on the brass doorknob. She could hear him before she saw him- the sound of heavy footsteps, the slight rustle of fabric as he shifted his weight, the unmistakable silence that followed his every move. Sebastian Wolfe.

She hadn't been prepared for this. Not for his presence in the house, not for the memories that began to flood her mind the moment she heard his voice again. His voice-the deep, controlled sound that once made her feel safe and cherished. The same voice that had once broken her heart.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to take a step forward, her heartbeat loud in her chest. Her breath hitched as she crossed the threshold, and there he was- standing in the center of the room, framed by the light from the window. It was like no time had passed at all. He was still the same man in so many ways- tall, imposing, his features sharp and defined, his dark eyes unreadable, just like they had always been.

But there was something different about him. Something older. More tired.

"Sebastian," she said, her voice soft, unsure of whether she even wanted to say his name aloud. She didn't know if it was anger, fear, or the overwhelming flood of memories that hit her, but she felt every part of her tense the moment she spoke.

He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, they simply stared at one another, two people who had once shared everything now standing on opposite sides of the room. He didn't move toward her, nor did he speak right away. Instead, he seemed to be studying her, as if memorizing her face all over again.

Tiana tried not to look at him too closely- she didn't want to lose herself in the familiar, the things she'd once loved. The things she'd lost. She focused instead on his posture, the way he held himself so carefully, as though he were afraid that the slightest movement might break the fragile silence between them.

Finally, he spoke.

"I didn't think I'd find you here," Sebastian's voice was low, almost a murmur. He sounded almost... surprised, as if the reality of seeing her again hadn't fully settled in.

Tiana shifted her weight, her hands clenched at her sides. "What are you doing here, Sebastian?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She didn't want to show weakness-not now, not after everything.

He took a step forward, his gaze softening just slightly. "I came because I had to know. About Ivy."

Tiana's breath caught in her throat, but she refused to let him see how deeply his words affected her. Ivy. His daughter. The daughter he never knew existed.

Her mind raced, but she refused to let her emotions take over. He's a stranger to her now. He lost the right to be her father when he walked away from us. The thought was bitter, and it made her heart ache all over again.

"What about Ivy?" Tiana asked, keeping her voice as neutral as possible. "You don't get to just show up after all these years and pretend like you're concerned."

Sebastian's face tightened, his jaw setting in a way that made her stomach twist. "I'm not pretending. I've had my reasons for staying away, but I'm here now. And I need to know about her."

Tiana could feel her walls crumbling. He didn't even know the half of it. He didn't know the hell she'd been through raising Ivy on her own, the days and nights she'd spent wondering if she could make it alone.

"You have no right to ask about her," Tiana said, her voice sharp now. "You didn't want anything to do with me-or her-three years ago when you walked away. You lost that right the moment you turned your back on us."

The words came out more forcefully than she intended, and she saw Sebastian's eyes flash with something akin to pain. But it was quickly replaced by that cold mask of indifference she had come to expect from him.

"I didn't turn my back on you, Tiana," he said, his voice low but firm. "I made a mistake, and I've regretted it every day since. I-"

"Stop," she interrupted, holding up a hand. "Don't do this. Don't stand there and pretend you regret it. Because you don't. If you really did, you wouldn't have just disappeared for three years."

Tiana's voice cracked on the last word, but she fought the urge to break down. She wouldn't let him see her vulnerable-not now. Not after everything he had put her through.

Sebastian stepped forward, his expression hardening, but there was something else there too-something raw, something real. "I wasn't ready, Tiana. I couldn't be the man you needed me to be. I wasn't even ready to be the man I needed to be. But that's not important now. What matters is that Ivy is my daughter. And I want to be a part of her life."

Tiana shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "No. You don't get to do this. You don't get to just walk back in and pretend like you have any right to her."

Sebastian's jaw clenched, and he stepped closer, his voice quieter now. "I'm not asking for your permission, Tiana. I'm asking for a chance. A chance to make things right."

Tiana didn't know how to respond. The last three years had been a blur of grief and healing. She had learned to live without him, had learned to trust herself and her instincts again. But now, standing in front of him, hearing the desperation in his voice, she felt the walls she had built around herself begin to crack.

But before she could answer, there was a soft sound from the doorway.

"Ivy?" Tiana whispered, her heart skipping a beat.

Ivy had woken up. She stood there, her small body framed by the doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her brown curls were tousled, her pink blanket trailing behind her as she stepped forward.

"Mommy?" Ivy asked, looking up at Tiana with innocent eyes.

Tiana's chest tightened at the sight of her daughter. She had to protect her, to shield her from the chaos that was now brewing between her and Sebastian.

But it was too late. Sebastian had already seen her.

Ivy's wide eyes locked onto Sebastian's, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

"Is... is that him?" Ivy asked, her voice soft but full of wonder.

Tiana felt her heart twist. She had hoped to protect Ivy from this day for as long as possible. She didn't know how to explain to her daughter that the man standing before her had once been her father-the man who had abandoned her.

But Sebastian didn't seem to hesitate. His eyes softened as they met Ivy's, and he crouched down to her level, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm your father, Ivy. And I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."

Tiana's breath caught in her throat, a mix of anger, disbelief, and sorrow flooding her chest. He was doing this. He was actually doing this.

Ivy blinked at him, her small face a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "Father?" she repeated, testing the word on her tongue like it was something unfamiliar.

Sebastian nodded, his gaze never leaving Ivy. "Yes, sweetie. I'm your father. And I want to get to know you."

Tiana opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She felt paralyzed, unsure of how to protect her daughter from this man- this stranger- who was suddenly claiming her as his own.

Tiana felt the room closing in around her. She watched, her breath caught in her throat, as Sebastian, the man who had once vowed to love her, now knelt in front of their daughter, trying to bridge the gap between them with words that held the weight of a broken promise.

Ivy, innocent and untainted by the years of betrayal and heartbreak, tilted her head in confusion. Tiana saw the innocence in her daughter's eyes, and it broke her heart. She hadn't wanted Ivy to ever have to question the man who should have been her father-the man who should have been there, like every other dad.

Ivy took a tentative step forward, still unsure. "But you left," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Mommy always said you left and never came back."

The words struck like a dagger, and Tiana winced, her heart aching for her daughter, but at the same time, she couldn't hide her own bitterness. It was the truth, after all. The truth she'd spent years trying to shield Ivy from, the truth that made her life with Sebastian feel like a distant memory-a chapter that was better off closed forever.

Sebastian's expression shifted, his face hardening as he took in Ivy's words. He looked back up at Tiana, his eyes filled with guilt. "I know," he said quietly, his voice strained. "I know I left, and I can never make up for that. But I never wanted to hurt you both."

Tiana's chest tightened, her anger bubbling to the surface. "You didn't just leave, Sebastian. You abandoned us. You chose your career, your life, over your own family. Over Ivy."

Ivy's small face twisted, a sad confusion clouding her eyes. "But... why? If you're my daddy, why didn't you come back for me?"

The question hung in the air, too painful to answer. Tiana wanted to shield her daughter from the cruel truth, but she couldn't lie to her. Not now, not after everything.

Sebastian stood, his gaze never leaving Ivy, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I wasn't ready to be a father. I was selfish, I thought I needed to focus on my work, my empire... I wasn't the man I should have been. But I'm here now. I want to be a part of your life, Ivy."

Tiana's breath caught, and she felt something shift inside her. Sebastian wasn't just talking to Ivy; he was talking to her too. He was trying to justify his abandonment, trying to make up for everything he'd done by offering a piece of himself he had no right to give. But Tiana couldn't accept it. She couldn't allow Ivy to be hurt by him again.

Ivy, too young to fully understand the weight of the conversation, reached out to Sebastian, her small hand hovering in the space between them. "I don't know," Ivy said softly, her voice small but earnest. "I don't know if I want you to be my daddy. Mommy says it's too late."

Tiana's heart broke into a thousand pieces. She could see the sadness in Ivy's eyes, the confusion clouding her judgment, but she also saw something else. Fear. Fear that she might have to accept someone she didn't know, someone who had been absent from her life for too long.

Tiana stepped forward, wrapping her arm protectively around Ivy's shoulders. She couldn't let this man waltz back into their lives and try to pick up where he had left off. It was too late for that.

"Ivy," Tiana said softly, her voice full of warmth as she looked down at her daughter. "You don't have to make a decision now. You don't have to do anything you're not ready for."

She shot a glance at Sebastian, her eyes hardening. "This is not your place to decide anymore, Sebastian. You had your chance. You let your career, your ego, destroy everything we had. And you walked away from her."

Sebastian flinched at her words, but he didn't back down. His jaw tightened as he stood straighter, his chest rising and falling with a breath he didn't seem ready to release.

"I know I can't change the past, Tiana. But I can be here now," he said, his voice low but resolute. "I don't expect Ivy to welcome me with open arms, and I won't force anything. But I want to try. I want to be a father to her, even if that means starting over from scratch."

Tiana's mind raced as she thought of the last three years-the years where she'd worked so hard to heal, to build a life for Ivy without Sebastian's interference. She'd fought battles that he would never understand, sacrificed pieces of herself for Ivy's sake. She couldn't just open the door for him again-not after all the pain he had caused.

"I don't know if you realize this, but you don't get to come back into our lives because you want to," Tiana said, her voice growing firm, the protective instinct inside her taking over. "You abandoned us. You hurt us. And now you expect us to welcome you with open arms because you decided you want to be a father?"

Sebastian's eyes softened, but the pain was still there. "Tiana, I'm not asking for forgiveness, and I know I don't deserve it. But I want a chance to prove that I can be a part of her life. I won't just leave again. I swear it."

Tiana closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process everything he was saying. Her mind told her to walk away, to close the door on him forever, to protect Ivy from the damage he could do. But her heart-a part of her she hadn't let herself listen to in years-whispered that maybe... maybe there was a chance for redemption.

But was it worth the risk?

A soft, hesitant voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Mommy? Can we go see Grandpa? He said he wanted to play with me today."

Tiana turned to Ivy, her daughter's innocent face the only thing that mattered in this moment. Ivy didn't deserve this chaos. She didn't deserve the confusion or the heartache of dealing with a father who had been nothing but a ghost in her life.

"Of course, sweetie," Tiana replied, her voice softening as she crouched down to Ivy's level. "Let's go see Grandpa."

But as she stood, she couldn't bring herself to turn away from Sebastian just yet. He was still standing there, still watching them, as if waiting for her to make some kind of decision.

"I don't know if I can ever forgive you for what you've done," Tiana said, her voice thick with emotion, but she held his gaze steadily. "I don't know if you can ever be the man Ivy needs you to be. But right now, she's my priority. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect her from the hurt you caused."

With that, she took Ivy's hand and started to lead her out of the room. Sebastian didn't try to stop her, but Tiana could feel his eyes on her, burning with an emotion she couldn't quite place.

As they reached the door, Ivy looked back over her shoulder at Sebastian one last time. "Will you be here tomorrow?" she asked, her voice small, fragile.

Tiana paused, her heart twisting in her chest as she waited for Sebastian's answer. She couldn't bear to hear it, but she had to.

Sebastian stood there, his expression unreadable, before he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "I'll be here, Ivy. I'll be here... for as long as you'll let me."

Tiana took her daughter's hand and walked away, not knowing what the future would bring.

Tiana pulled her coat tighter around her body, the cold air seeping through the fabric, but it was nothing compared to the chill that had settled in her heart after the encounter with Sebastian.

Ivy walked beside her, the silence between them comfortable, though Tiana could sense the weight of unanswered questions hanging in the air. Her daughter was quiet, the events of the afternoon clearly swirling around in her young mind.

"Mommy, is he going to be around more?" Ivy asked, her voice small, almost unsure. Tiana glanced down at her daughter, the innocence in her eyes cutting through the walls Tiana had so carefully built around her emotions.

Tiana paused for a moment, her breath visible in the air as she exhaled. She needed to say something-something that would ease Ivy's fears without giving her false hope. "I don't know, sweetheart. We'll just have to wait and see."

Ivy looked up at her, her brow furrowed. "But you don't like him anymore, right?"

Tiana's heart shattered. She knelt down to Ivy's level, taking her daughter's hands in her own. "I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world, Ivy. And no matter what happens with... with your daddy, you and I are a team. I'll always protect you."

"But you're sad," Ivy whispered. "I don't want you to be sad."

The pure concern in her daughter's voice made Tiana's heart ache. "I'm okay, baby," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Ivy's ear. "We've been through a lot, but I'm strong, and we're going to be okay."

Ivy gave a small nod, though she didn't seem fully convinced. Tiana could tell her daughter still didn't quite understand the weight of the situation. She wished she could shield Ivy from the pain and confusion, but the truth was unavoidable. Sebastian's return had stirred up memories Tiana had worked so hard to bury, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face the ghosts of her past.

They arrived at her father's house just a few minutes later. The familiar sight of the old, ivy-covered home brought a sense of comfort, a temporary escape from the turmoil of her thoughts. It was a place she could always count on for peace, and today, she needed that peace more than ever.

"Grandpa's going to be so happy to see you," Tiana said as they walked up the front steps. She reached out to ring the doorbell, and within moments, the door opened to reveal her father's smiling face.

"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to grace me with her presence," her father, Richard, said, his voice warm with affection. He pulled Ivy into a hug, lifting her up in the air and twirling her around. Ivy giggled, the sound so pure and full of joy that it almost made Tiana forget the tension still clinging to her from earlier.

"Grandpa, stop!" Ivy laughed, wiggling in his arms. "I'm too big for that now!"

Richard laughed heartily, setting Ivy back down. "Too big for a twirl? Not in this house, young lady."

Tiana couldn't help but smile, the bond between her father and Ivy always a bright spot in her life. Richard had been her rock, supporting her through all the years of hardship after Sebastian had left. He'd been there when she felt like she had no one else, and she knew she could always turn to him when life became too overwhelming.

"Come on in," Richard said, ushering them inside. "I've got a pot of your favorite soup on the stove, Tiana. And Ivy, I made you some chocolate chip cookies."

Ivy's eyes lit up. "Cookies?! Yay!"

Tiana chuckled, following her daughter into the cozy living room. The smell of freshly baked cookies mixed with the savory scent of the soup filled the air, making the house feel even more like home. The soft glow of the lamps and the crackling of the fire in the hearth created an inviting, calm atmosphere that Tiana desperately needed right now.

They settled into the living room, Tiana and Richard sitting on the couch while Ivy curled up in a chair by the fire, happily munching on a cookie.

"How's everything, sweetheart?" Richard asked, his voice gentle, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. He had always been perceptive, always knowing when something was wrong.

Tiana took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "It's... complicated, Dad."

Richard nodded, understanding without needing any further explanation. He'd seen how much pain Sebastian had caused her over the years, how deeply his absence had affected their family. And he knew that even though Tiana had moved on, Sebastian's return would stir up old wounds.

"I saw him today," Tiana said quietly. "He came by the house to see Ivy."

Richard's expression darkened slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "And how did that go?"

"Awkward," Tiana replied, trying to hold back the anger that bubbled to the surface at the thought of Sebastian. "He wants to be part of Ivy's life, Dad. He's saying he's changed, that he regrets everything. But I don't know if I can believe him."

Richard was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "He doesn't deserve to just walk back in like nothing happened. You've built a life without him, Tiana. You don't need him now."

Tiana's eyes welled with unshed tears, her heart torn between the woman she had become and the girl who had once believed in the man she married. "I don't know what to do, Dad. I don't want Ivy to grow up thinking that her daddy doesn't care about her. But I don't want to let him hurt her again, either."

Richard reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "You do what's best for her. And for you. I know it's hard, but don't let him come back into your life if it's just going to cause more pain."

Tiana nodded, her throat tightening as she tried to hold back the tears. "I don't know if I can ever forgive him for leaving us, for abandoning Ivy. But I also don't want to be the one standing in the way of her having a relationship with him if he's truly changed."

"You'll know what's best when the time comes," Richard said softly. "But you don't have to make that decision today."

Tiana felt the weight of his words settle in her chest. Maybe she didn't have to decide right now. Maybe she could take things one day at a time, just like she had done all those years ago when Sebastian first walked out.

For now, she could focus on the present, on the comfort of being with her family, and on the love she shared with her daughter. Everything else would have to wait.

As the evening wore on, Tiana found solace in the warmth of her father's house. Ivy was busy making up stories about the cookies she'd eaten and the games she planned to play tomorrow. Richard kept the conversation light, steering clear of anything that might bring up Sebastian. But Tiana couldn't shake the unease in the pit of her stomach.

She didn't want to make any rash decisions. She didn't want to let her emotions cloud her judgment. But the truth was, Sebastian had always been a part of her heart, no matter how much she tried to bury those feelings. And now, as he fought for a place in Ivy's life, Tiana was caught between the woman she had become and the girl who had loved a man who no longer existed.

The question remained: Could she ever trust him again? And even more importantly, could she let him back into their lives without risking everything she had worked so hard to rebuild?

The night passed quietly, the fire crackling in the hearth, casting a warm glow across the living room. Tiana couldn't help but feel a strange mix of comfort and unease as she watched Ivy snuggled up with her grandfather, listening intently to one of his many stories from his younger days. Tiana's thoughts kept drifting back to Sebastian. His unexpected return had set off a chain of emotions that she wasn't sure she could control.

As the evening came to a close, Ivy was already half-asleep in her chair, her head resting against Richard's shoulder. Tiana gently lifted her daughter into her arms, the familiar weight of Ivy's small body grounding her in the moment.

"Come on, sweetheart," Tiana whispered. "Let's get you to bed."

Ivy stirred but didn't wake, her soft breaths indicating that she had drifted into a peaceful sleep. Tiana carried her to the guest room upstairs, carefully tucking her into the soft bed and pulling the blankets up to her chin. She kissed Ivy's forehead, her heart aching as she gazed at her daughter's innocent face.

Tiana stood there for a moment longer than she had planned, lost in thought. What kind of life would she be able to give Ivy with Sebastian back in the picture? Could she protect her daughter from the pain of a broken family, especially if Sebastian was truly determined to make amends?

"Mom?" Ivy mumbled, her small voice pulling Tiana from her thoughts.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Tiana replied softly, kneeling beside the bed.

"Will Daddy be around tomorrow?" Ivy asked, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

Tiana's heart clenched. She hadn't expected Ivy to ask such a direct question so soon. She hadn't figured out how to explain everything yet, but she couldn't lie to her daughter.

"I don't know, darling," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair from Ivy's face. "We'll just have to see what happens."

"Okay," Ivy whispered, her eyelids fluttering as she fell back into a deep slumber.

Tiana lingered for a moment longer, watching the rise and fall of her daughter's chest, before quietly leaving the room and heading back downstairs. She found her father in the living room, still sitting by the fire, lost in thought.

"She's asleep," Tiana said as she settled on the couch opposite him.

Richard gave a slight nod, his eyes focused on the flames. "You're worried."

Tiana sighed and leaned back into the cushions, staring at the fire as well. "I don't know what to do, Dad. I don't want to be selfish. But I don't want Ivy to be hurt again either."

"Have you talked to Sebastian since you saw him today?" Richard asked, his tone cautious but sincere.

Tiana shook her head. "No. I don't even know what to say to him. I'm not sure he deserves an explanation, but at the same time, I don't want to make any decisions without really understanding where he stands. Everything's so complicated now."

Richard sat back in his chair, his brow furrowed. "I understand, sweetheart. But you have to think about what's best for you, too. Sebastian may want back into Ivy's life, but that doesn't mean you owe him anything. You've spent years rebuilding your life without him. You're a strong woman, and you've given Ivy everything she needs. That's what matters."

Tiana met her father's gaze, his words sinking in. She had built a life for herself and Ivy without Sebastian. She had learned to stand on her own two feet, to trust herself. But what if Sebastian had truly changed? What if he wasn't the same man who had walked away from their family all those years ago?

"But what if he has changed?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What if this time, he's really trying to be a father to Ivy?"

Richard was silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers as if trying to read her mind. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "You've been hurt before, Tiana. You can't just forget that, no matter how much he says he's changed. If he really wants to be part of your life again, he has to prove it-not just with words, but with actions."

Tiana nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his advice settle in her chest. Her father was right, of course. She couldn't just ignore the years of pain and abandonment, the betrayal that still lingered in her heart. But part of her longed for closure, for the chance to finally understand why Sebastian had left them in the first place.

"You're right," Tiana murmured. "I just don't know how to go about it. I'm scared, Dad. Scared of what will happen if I let him back in. Scared of what it will do to Ivy."

Richard reached across the coffee table, taking her hand in his. "Whatever happens, I'll be here. You don't have to face this alone."

Tiana squeezed his hand, grateful for his unwavering support. "I know. I just don't want to mess things up. I want Ivy to have everything she deserves."

"You're a good mother, Tiana," Richard said softly. "You've given Ivy a strong foundation, no matter what happens with Sebastian. And if he's truly changed, he'll respect that. But remember, your priority is always Ivy's well-being-and yours too."

Tiana's eyes filled with tears, the emotional weight of everything she had been holding in finally coming to the surface. "I don't want to be hurt again, Dad."

"You won't be, sweetheart," Richard said firmly. "Not if you trust yourself. You're stronger than you realize."

Tiana nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She wasn't sure if she was ready to trust Sebastian again, but she knew one thing for certain: she wasn't going to let him tear apart everything she had worked so hard to build.

The next day, Tiana found herself standing in front of the small café in town where Sebastian had asked to meet her. The morning sun was just beginning to climb in the sky, casting a golden hue across the streets. Her heart raced as she stepped through the door, her eyes immediately scanning the room for Sebastian.

She spotted him sitting in the corner booth, looking as composed and distant as ever. The same man who had walked away from her all those years ago, and yet... there was something different in his eyes. Something haunted, as if the years apart had taken a toll on him, too.

Tiana hesitated for a moment, before making her way toward him. When he looked up and saw her approaching, his expression softened just a fraction, though it was barely noticeable.

"Tiana," Sebastian said quietly, standing as she reached the booth. "Thank you for coming."

Tiana took a seat, folding her hands in her lap as she tried to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I didn't come here to make small talk, Sebastian. I want answers."

He sat back down, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know. I owe you that much."