Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 116

Special Chapter: Zephyr’s POV

“How old are you?” I asked her once more. “I’m three years old.” She answered and everything was quickly starting to come together. I’m almost sure that Evelyn is her mother but then again, it might just be a coincidence, especially since I’ve not seen the both of them together. I can’t just go around hurling accusations without any evidence, especially since Evelyn is currently a guest here. I have to find out the truth no matter what.

“Now will you help me find my mummy, Mr?” Nevaeh asked, bringing me back to the present.

“Of course but I need to find out something first. What is your mother’s name?” I asked and she said nothing at first, almost as if she was contemplating whether to tell me or not. She finally answered shortly.

“I’m sorry but I can’t tell you. You’re a stranger and my mummy says not to tell her name to strangers.” Nevaeh said and her words hit me straight in the heart. My own daughter thinks I’m a stranger and I can’t do anything about it yet.

This is definitely beyond coincidence. This is the first time I’ve ever set eyes on my three year old daughter, she doesn’t know who I am, she’s definitely not from this Pack and that only means that she came with the people from the Kizmet Pack and I’m sure she’s with Evelyn because Evelyn is the only person that I know that would warn her daughter about me.

I’m almost absolutely sure that this is Evelyn’s doing, she doesn’t want me to find out about my daughter but by Selene’s grace, I was able to find out today. I won’t let Evelyn keep me away from the both of them anymore.

“I see. But if you don’t tell me your mother’s name, how am I supposed to help you look for her?” I asked, having no choice but to trick my little girl.

“Can you not really find my mummy without her name?” She probed.

“I’m sorry dear, but I can’t. I don’t know what your mummy looks like so I can only look for her using your name. Don’t you want to see her as soon as possible so she can hold you in her arms and sing to you?” I asked and Nevaeh nodded.

“Yes, I want my mummy quick. She will protect me from the thunder and the monster under the bed.” Nevaeh gushed and I couldn’t hold back my laughter. So this is what it feels like to be a dad? It’s honestly amazing, I can’t even describe it.

“Why are you laughing? The monster is very scary and he’ll eat you if he catches you laughing at him.” She cautioned with both hands on her waist, just like a mum would do while giving her child serious advice and this posture of hers almost made me wheeze.

“I’m sorry, I won’t laugh anymore. May I know your mother’s name now?” I requested.

“My mother’s name is Evelyn.” She said and time stopped for a few seconds.

I had expected this answer but actually hearing it came as a shock, that only meant that my suspicion hadn’t been wrong.

Evelyn and I have a daughter but I only touched Evelyn once which means that Nevaeh is a product of rape. A strange pain tugs at my heart at the realization of this, my first child ever was born from rape. I feel absolutely awful. I don’t blame Evelyn for keeping her away from me, she only sees me as a monster but how on Earth do I convince her that I’ve changed if she doesn’t even want to hear me out?

I think carefully but there’s only one solution that comes to my mind but sadly, it isn’t very good. If I approach Evelyn about this, she might as well deny the fact that Nevaeh is my daughter, she could lie saying that she had her for someone else.

In order for me to prevent that, I’ll just have to announce this publicly and force her to have a talk with me. Now that a child is involved, I won’t take this lightly. It’s not just about us anymore and I’ve been kept away from my daughter long enough. I’ve already missed out on three years of her life so I want to be with her every step of the way and be the best father ever. I don’t care what Evelyn thinks or what she wants, I only want to be with my daughter and it’s up to her to stay with us or leave. My mind is made up.

“Do you know her? Can we find my mummy now?” Nevaeh asked and my attention instantly turned to her.

I nodded before picking her up in my arms. “Yes, my little angel. I know exactly who your mommy is, in fact, I know her very well.” I said before walking over to the center of the room once more with Nevaeh still in my arms. I won’t look for her in the crowd, a lot of people are present so it’ll be difficult to spot her so instead, I’ll make her come to me.

I cleared my throat before making an announcement which quickly drew the attention of everyone in the room.

“Hello everyone. The party seems to be going on well, are you all having a good time?” I asked and most of them chorused “Yes!”

“I’m glad, I’m thankful for hosting this party because Selene has been so good to me in the duration of this celebration. This party was held to celebrate the return of Evelyn Emerson to this pack after so many years but I just got better news, in fact bigger news that has left me overjoyed, so much so that I don’t even have the appropriate words to express it.” I said and whispers filled the room, everyone was probably wondering what I was going to say but I knew that Evelyn was probably panicking at seeing Nevaeh in my arms. I smiled at the thought. I had tried my best to get through to her the nice way and since that wasn’t getting me anywhere, I would just have to resort to this.

“I just found out that I have a daughter. This cute little angel here in my arms, is my daughter and her name is Nevaeh.” I announced and the room was filled with more sounds, most people were visibly shocked, some even gasped while others were whispering only goodness knows what.

I continued nonetheless. “I just found out today that Evelyn Emerson and I have a daughter who is three years old.” I announced and more gasps filled the air. Everyone turned around and gave room, probably looking for her and after a few minutes, I saw her sitting down, she had tears in her eyes and I could see her hands on the side of her dress, venting her anger into it.

Once again, I felt terrible. I had caused her pain yet again but she had left me no choice. It was either this or abandon my daughter and the latter is certainly not an option for me.

She stood up steadily and walked towards me slowly, almost like she was counting every step. The crowd shifted to the side and made room for her.

She finally reached where I stood with Nevaeh in my arms.

“Mummy!” Nevaeh called happily, stretching her arms towards Evelyn who snatched our daughter from me without as much as a spare thought.

“Mummy why did you leave me alone? There was nobody in the room and I was so scared. This man helped me look for you.” Nevaeh relayed but Evelyn said nothing, her facial expression not changing either.

“Mum. Please come here.” She called her mother and I began to wonder just what she might be up to.

Her mother came quickly and she handed our daughter over to her mother.

“Mum please take Nevaeh to my room for now and stay with her until I return. Please don’t let her out of your sight for one second.” Evelyn said strictly and it was the first time I had seen her seem so harsh, it was intimidating. Everyone else in the room just watched us in silence and anticipation.

“Of course dear.” Mrs Emerson said and left the room with Nevaeh who was protesting, saying she wanted to stay with her mother but Mrs Emerson still took her away.

As soon as they were out of the room, I decided to find out just what Evelyn was doing and it turned out to be a big mistake.

“What did you……..” I began but was cut short by a tight slap that landed across my cheek, surely leaving a bruise. Everyone in the room except the both of us was left surprised. My cheek stung badly but it could not match up to the pain that I felt in my heart. I had never been slapped before, Evelyn is the first person to ever hit me across the face.

But I’m not mad at her, I deserve this. I recall doing this a lot to her in the past and it was for absolutely no reason most of the time. She usually took it like a champ, making it seem like it didn’t hurt, I’m beginning to realize the damage I had actually done to her.

“How dare you?!” She bawled at me but I wasn’t ready to have this discussion in front of everyone else. I had only done what I did so she would come out and I would have the chance to finally speak to her privately.

I said nothing, only grabbed a hold of her wrist tightly and pulled her along with me across the room, forcing her to follow me as I left the Great Hall.

She continuously protested and tried to free her hand from my grip but I didn’t relent.

I pulled her along with me through the hallway until we got to my room. I pushed the door open and pulled her in before closing the door. I didn’t lock it. I’m definitely not letting history repeat itself, I really am not that type of man anymore. I just want to apologise and make her understand without anyone interrupting the both of us.

“What?! What do you want from me? Why have you brought me here? Wasn’t once enough? Do you want to rape me a second time as well?” She ranted in tears but I refused to let it get to me, I can’t let anger possess me at this moment.

I took a deep breath before answering. “No, I don’t want to do anything to you. And I’ll never do anything to you without your permission. What happened in the past was a mistake, I was angry and bitter and I was drunk that night, I really didn’t mean to, I promise you.” I tried to make her understand in a calm and collected voice.

“Why should I believe you? You haven’t given me a single reason to believe you. You can never change Zephyr, you’re the same brutal scum who did things to me and tortured me without as much as a blink of the eye.” She said and I felt my heart jerk in pain. I deserve it, so I shouldn’t get angry. I did everything she’s accusing me of, I’m her culprit. I kept chanting these words to myself in order to stay cool.

This time around, I went on my knees and she backed away.

“I’m going to apologise to you once again. I’m sorry for all the things that I did to you all those years ago, I’m sorry for sexually assaulting you, I’m sorry for making your life a living hell. I’ll continue to apologise until you find it in your heart to forgive me. I only brought you here so we could talk properly, I have a lot to say and I only want you to hear it.

I’ve lived in pain and guilt these past two years and though it’s not a quarter of what I put you through, it was a lot so I completely understand how you feel. I know that you hate me and I understand that, you have reason to and I wouldn’t mind but after finding out about our daughter, I’m sorry but I can’t let you go. I want to be a part of our daughter’s life…….” I began, still on my knees but she quickly cut in.

“What do you mean by ‘our’ daughter? Are you talking about the daughter that you rejected and abandoned even before she was born?” She attacked and I was left perturbed.

“When did I ever reject our daughter? How could I have rejected her if I didn’t even know that she existed until a few minutes ago?” I fought back. I wouldn’t let her accuse me of something like that. I adore Nevaeh. I would never abandon her even if Evelyn begged me to.