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“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m not like Stella I’m more like you A pessimist A bit cold to the world” She smiled and nodded once “So But the ss I feel, the s for them So I just came here to say, if you hurt my Stella—”
“Maple—”
“I don’t like being cut off, son”
I shut my mouth
She continued “If you hurt her… I will hurt you”
The fire in her soul almost made me feel as if my own skin was set ablaze “I understand”
The harshness of her words evaporated a bit before her face eased up “I’m sorry that the world hurt you”
“Did Stella tell you that?” I huffed
“No” She shook her head “That’s just how people like you and I are et out of your hair I just wanted to introduce myself and warn you about ould happen if you ever hurt e was received”
“It has been, and don’t worry I won’t hurt her”
“Thank you, Damian”
I nodded once
She turned and began walking away but looked over her shoulder “You’re a good man, Damian Like your father”
I grimaced “You don’t know me”
She smiled “But I knew your father”
“He didn’t raise me”
“Yes, but if he had known about your existence, he would’ve loved to be your father Being a parent was all he ever wanted I hate that he missed that opportunity with you”
“What do you mean by he didn’t know about me?”
“Just prior to his passing, he found out about your existence He had no clue you were in this world until the neas brought to him”
A knot for e years trying to track him down simply so I could tell him to piss off Then within one breath, I was told that he hadn’t even known about my existence I didn’t kno to process that information
“Damian, I think it’s important for you to know that Kevin would’ve wanted you He would’ve been in your world day in and day out if he had the opportunity”
I cleared my throat “You said you were like me A pessimist and cold”
“Yes”
“But then you do and say things that are the opposite”
“Ah, yes I know I seeinto h tiet to you, too”
She left the house, andat an insane rate, and the palms of my hands were sweaty
“Maple,” I called out, findingout toward her as she cli forabout Stella “You have my word”