Marley

Friday afternoon, I pick up Lyla from daycare and head home. I’m not looking forward to seeing Steven tonight or confronting him about what Asher told me but I can’t let this continue. He can’t buy her love, and trying to do so will only do her more harm than good. Not to mention the fact that he’s bribing her to keep secrets from me.

Asher had sent me a text before I left work to tell me that he’d gotten stuck on a call and he might be running late. Which makes me more nervous about confronting Steven, because although I can handle him on my own, I want Asher to be here. I know it will likely cause more tension between Steven and I but I don’t care anymore. I’m tired of Steven thinking he can just say whatever the hell he wants to me or treat me like shit when his daughter isn’t around. Maybe if Steven knows I’m dating a cop he’ll stop being such an asshole and maybe we can focus on more important things, like raising our daughter.

Wishful thinking.

Lyla is watching TV while I straighten up the kitchen, trying to expel some of this nervous energy as I wait for Steven to arrive and pray that Asher makes it here before he does.

Half an hour later, there’s a knock at the door. Looking through the peephole, I find Steven on the other side.

“Lyla, sweetie, Daddy and I are going to talk outside before you go. You stay put, okay?” I tell her as I open the door.

“Yes, ma’am,” she says, still enthralled in her show.

I open the door and step outside, shutting it behind me. Steven stiffens, eyeing me curiously.

“We need to talk,” I say, and he takes a step back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“About?” he asks, carefully.

“About you bribing our daughter with toys and asking her to keep it from me.”

Steven shakes his head with a laugh. “I swear that girl can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

“Why would you ask her to keep it from me?”

“Because I knew you would react just like this and be a bitch about it.”

I want to say something about him calling me a bitch but I know it’s bait. He wants me to react to it and that will deter us from the real issue here and I won’t fall for it.

“While I agree that you are entitled to buy her things like clothes and other necessities, I do think we need to agree on a healthy limit. And asking her to keep secrets from me is unacceptable.”

Steven’s face twists with anger. “Fuck that. She’s my daughter, too. If I want to buy her a whole goddamn toy store I will. The shit stays at my house anyway so what does it matter to you?”

“It matters because I’m her mother and we are supposed to be raising her together. It would be nice if we could be on the same page.”

He takes a step forward, crowding me against the door, his face hovering just above mine. “We’ll never be on the same page. You decided that when you divorced me, remember?”

“Steven, please. Step back.”

“Or what?” he grits, taking another step forward. My scalp prickles with awareness. Steven was never a violent man when we were married. He never laid a hand on me but he could still be incredibly intimidating.

“Or you’re going to have to deal with me.” Asher’s voice has me sagging with relief. Steven takes a few steps back as Asher moves between us. I step around him and he reaches for my hand, threading his fingers with mine. The comfort and strength he offers with just this act alone is enough to straighten my spine and lift my chin.

Steven looks confused for a moment, shifting his gaze back and forth between us before landing on our hands. I see the recognition on his face when it finally clicks.

Steven’s mouth spreads into a malicious smile when he says, “Oh, I get it now. You’re fucking a cop. Is that supposed to scare me?”

“You better watch your mouth, asshole.”

“You having a badge doesn’t mean shit to me.” Steven returns his attention to me. “Do you mind telling your boyfriend to take a walk while we finish our conversation?”

“That won’t be happening,” Asher states calmly.

“What I say to my wife is none of your fucking business.”

Asher releases my hand before stepping right into his space, his broad chest coming within inches of Steven’s. Steven swallows thickly, a flash of fear widening his eyes as Asher towers over him. “Ex-wife,” Asher corrects.

Steven’s nostrils flare with anger, his fists curling as he lowers his hands to his sides.

“I’m only going to say this once so you better listen good,” Asher begins. “I’m not trying to take your place as a father or get involved in your business when it comes to you two making decisions for Lyla, but when you talk to Marley, you will treat her with nothing but respect. We clear?”

Steven draws in a slow and steady breath, his tight expression making my adrenaline spike.

“Whatever you say, man,” Steven scoffs. “You finished?”

“For now,” Asher states as he reluctantly steps aside.

I open the door and call for Lyla to grab her bag. Steven pins me with a glare but I shift my eyes away. I know he’s angry and upset but I don’t care. Every single maternal instinct I have wants to lock her away and not let her go with him but there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop him. The only comfort I have is knowing that even though he’s a lying, manipulative asshole, he does love his daughter very much.

“Daddy!” Lyla greets as she rushes over to hug his leg.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Steven lifts her up in his arms and kisses her cheek.

“I sure did miss you,” he says, setting her back down on her feet.

“I missed you too, Daddy.”

“You all set?” he asks, his voice completely devoid of the anger now.

She hands him her backpack. “Yep!”

Lyla turns to give me a hug goodbye. I squat down and wrap my arms around her, not wanting to let her go. “I love you, baby girl. Be good, okay?”

“I will, Mommy. I love you, too.”

Then she turns to Asher, reaching her tiny arms up toward the man towering over her. He kneels down and gives her a tight squeeze. “See you Sunday, kid.”

“Bye, Asher,” she murmurs, and my heart twists in my chest at the love and affection they have for one another.

The moment he releases her, Steven takes her hand and leads her down the stairs but it’s the look he gives me when he walks away that sends a chill down my spine.

Once we’re back inside, I breathe a sigh of relief but my heart is still heavy.

“You okay?” Asher asks.

I nod, my throat constricting around the tears threatening to fall. “I hate sending her with him. I hate it so much.”

He gathers me in his arms, resting his chin on top of my head. “I don’t like it either.”