Dear ex-Wife please be mine again

Christiana’s POV

I arrived at the restaurant, an elegant little place that Daniel had picked out, its warm lighting spilling onto the sidewalk. I wax late–later than I should have been. I took a deep breath before entering, telling myself this was the right thing to do. I had made my choice, and now, I just had to face him.

When I walked in, there he was, looking dapper as ever in a crisp suit and that effortless charm. His face lit up when he saw me, his eyes warm, his smile genuinely happy. Guilt twisted in my chest, he was excited to see me. I forced a faint smile, waving as I approached the table. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

1

“Christiana,” he said, standing up to greet me. His eyes softened, and for a second, I almost forgot why I was here.

“Hi. Daniel,” I replied, my voice gentler than usual. We exchanged a brief hug, and I took my seat across from him.

“Where are the kids?” he asked, glancing behind me as if they’d just pop in.

“They couldn’t make it,” I said, forcing a light tone. “They wanted to stay… with their father.” My words hung in the air, and Daniel’s expression faltered, his mouth tightening as he tried to hide whatever he was feeling.

“Ah, right,” he said, giving a small nod. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his napkin, but he quickly brushed it off, flashing me a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Well, more time for just the two of us, then.”

I managed another small smile. He tried to make small talk, asking about my day, how things were going at the gallery. But then, he stopped, studying me for a long moment. “How are you, Christiana?” he asked, his voice soft, almost cautious. “Really,”

The kindness in his gaze made it harder. I swallowed, feeling my throat tighten. “I’m… okay. Really, I am,” I said, looking down, tracing invisible patterns on the tablecloth. “It’s been… a lot, but I’m handling it. Thank you for being here for me, Daniel. Really, you don’t know how much that means.”

He nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box, sliding it across the table. “I… got you something. I thought it would suit you,” he said with a hopeful smile.

I stared at the box, feeling my heart thump uncomfortably in my chest. “Daniel, I… I can’t accept this.”

Confusion flashed across his face, “Why not? It’s just a gift, Christiana. No strings attached, I promise,” he said with a soft Laugh.

1 shook my head, feeling my hands begin to shake slightly. “Daniel… I don’t want to lead you on. You’re such a good person, and you’ve been so supportive of me and the kids. I… I just don’t feel that way about you. Not in the way you deserve.”

His smile faded, replaced with a look of heartbreak that cut deep. “Christiana… what are you saying?”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I think of you as a friend, Daniel. A very dear friend. But… that’s all I can give. I can’t give you what you’re looking for. You’re a wonderful man, and any woman would be lucky to have you.” My voice broke slightly, and I forced myself to continue. “You’ve been amazing with the kids, with me. But I’ve made my choice.”

He swallowed, his eyes darkening as he looked down at the box he’d offered. “You’re… choosing him, aren’t you? Alex?”

“Yes. The word came out barely above a whisper, and it felt as though I had punched him. I saw the pain flash in his eyes, raw and unmistakable.

His hand clenched into a fist, and he looked away, breathing deeply. “I thought…” He cleared his throat, struggling to keep his voice steady. “I thought I had a chance with you, Christiana. I thought, maybe, I could be part of your life. And the kids‘ lives.” He swallowed again, and his eyes, now slightly red, met mine, holding so much disappointment it hurt to look.

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UG.

“Daniel…” I whispered, my heart aching for him.

D

“You know, I’ve been chasing after you for months. Four months. Christiana. And now… you’re just going back to the man who left you. Who walked out, and only came back because he realized you have his kids.” His voice was raw, filled with pain and frustration.

“It’s not like that,” I said, my voice trembling. “I love him. I’ve… always loved him.”

Daniel laughed bitterly, running a hand over his face. “Of course. Of course, it’s always him.” His shoulders slumped, and for the first time, he looked defeated. “You have no idea how much wanted to be the one. I thought maybe… just maybe… I could finally be with someone who would see me. Really see me. But you… you’ve only ever seen him.”

“Daniel, I’m sorry,” I whispered, reaching out to touch his hand, but he pulled back, his jaw clenched.

“Don’t,” he said, his voice barely holding together. “I’ve tried, Christiana. I’ve tried to be there for you. I thought if I was patient, if I gave you time…” He shook his head, his voice breaking. “But you’ve never seen me as more than a friend, have you?”

I looked down, guilt flooding me. “No,” I admitted, my voice small. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve this. You deserve someone who loves you the way you deserve. I… I just can’t be that person.”

He let out a shaky breath, his gaze averted as he blinked hard, trying to hold back tears. “I thought maybe I could change your mind. That I could be someone you’d want.”

He looked at me then, his eyes pleading, as if searching for some kind of explanation that would make this all make sense. “You’re really choosing him… over me?”

“Yes,” I whispered, hating myself for hurting him. “It’s always been Alex, even when I tried to move on. I… I’m sorry.”

Daniel nodded, his face contorting in pain. “I can’t… I can’t believe this.” He swallowed, his voice barely audible. “I was ready to give everything for you, Christiana. I thought I could be part of your life, part of the kids‘ lives… But I was wrong.”

I reached out, but he shook his head, standing up. “Don’t. I can’t I can’t sit here and listen to this.” He looked down at me, the hurt evident in his eyes. “I hope he knows what he has. Because he doesn’t deserve you, Christiana. And he sure as hell doesn’t deserve them.”

than ever.

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone at the table, his

echoing in my mind, and my heart heavier