I nodded , following her lead . We were going to leave eventually . Leaving now made no difference . I had already given up on him completely . I took her hand , and we turned to go . That's when Nate suddenly came after us , blocking our path . " You didn't take your luggage , " he said . I didn't even look at him . " We don't need it . " . Those bags held too many memories . Leaving them behind was my way of letting go of everything we used to be . " But shouldn't Alyssa at least take her essentials ? " he asked , glancing at our daughter . She lowered her head , hiding behind me without a word . I said coldly , " This is between me and my daughter . Don't you think you're getting a little too involved ? " He opened his mouth to speak , but hesitated . His eyes flickered with something unreadable . After a moment , he reached into his coat and pulled out a bank card , handing it to our daughter . " Alyssa , if you're staying elsewhere and need anything , just buy it . The PIN is your birthday . " Then , he turned to Selena and took a box of chocolates from her arms , offering it to my daughter . " This is your favorite flavor , " he said . " I wasn't with you for your birthday yesterday , so … this is to make it up to you . " He pressed the box into her hands before she could resist . I saw it - the slight spark of joy in her eyes . And in that instant , I felt helpless . She was just a child . It didn't take much to make her happy . She didn't understand the conflict between adults . I couldn't blame her for that . She opened the box and unwrapped a piece eagerly , slipping it into her mouth . A familiar , dreaded scent hit me - matcha . The panic was instant . " Spit it out ! You can't eat that ! " I shouted , my voice sharp with fear . Her smile froze mid - bite . I rushed forward , prying open her mouth , trying to scoop the chocolate out with my fingers . Nate's face darkened . " Christine , what the hell are you doing ? " I glared at him , furious . " She's allergic to matcha ! It gives her rashes all over her body ! " His expression changed immediately - worry flashing into regret . " I … I didn't know . I'm sorry . " My daughter , finally realizing what she had eaten , spat out what was left , tears streaming down her cheeks . Her face was blank now , the flicker of hope gone completely . Chapter 4 +25 Bonus She looked at Nate and said something far too grown - up for her age . " It's okay . You're never around anyway . Of course , you wouldn't know . " She gripped my hand tightly . " Mommy , let's just go . " Heart aching , I bent down and scooped her into my arms . She buried her face in my chest , refusing to look at him again . I walked away with her in my arms . Behind me , I could feel Nate's gaze - heavy , conflicted , filled with guilt and helplessness . But this time , neither of us looked back .