DARK CHEMISTRY
The gates of the prison swung open, sunlight flooding Daniel's eyes after months in the darkness. He stepped out, chest tight with anticipation, heart pounding at the thought of finally seeing Lizzie—and their child—again.
His gaze immediately found her. There she stood, clutching the baby to her chest, eyes wide, emotions raw and unfiltered. Relief, fear, love, and frustration all collided in her expression. Daniel's stride quickened, instinctively reaching out to hug her, to hold her, to never let go again.
But before he could reach her, her father stepped forward. His face was red with anger, jaw tight, fists clenched. He didn't hesitate.
"You think you can just waltz back into her life?" he bellowed, voice echoing across the courtyard. "After what you did? After everything?"
Daniel froze, hands still outstretched, but his eyes never left Lizzie. He opened his mouth, tried to speak, but her father cut him off.
"Don't you dare touch her! Don't you dare think you have any right!"
The next second, a sharp slap landed across Daniel's cheek. The sound rang out, a shocking crack in the air. Daniel's head snapped to the side, pain flaring, but his gaze never wavered from Lizzie.
"Dad! Stop! Please!" Lizzie cried, stepping forward, but her father's glare was deadly, his voice thunderous.
"Go home, Lizzie! Now! Take the baby and leave!"
Tears welled in Lizzie's eyes as she hesitated, torn between the man she loved and feared losing and the father who had just struck him. Her hands shook around the baby as she whispered, "Daniel…"
He opened his mouth, his voice raw and hoarse from months of longing, "Lizzie, please… don't listen to him. I just want to hold you…"
But Lizzie's father pressed forward, placing himself squarely between them, eyes blazing. "NOW! GO!"
Swallowing her sobs, Lizzie did as he commanded. With trembling legs and a heavy heart, she turned and walked away, clutching the baby tightly, her eyes never leaving Daniel. He remained frozen, fists clenched at his sides, chest heaving—not in defeat, but in the burning rage and longing that surged through him.
Even in that moment of separation, the bond between them—their love, their child—remained unbroken. Daniel's dark, protective intensity simmered under the surface, promising silently that this wasn't the end.
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