Chapter 37: New hope

Chapter 37: New hope

Nevaeh

I nod my head and gaze into Mathias' eye as he takes a seat next to me. He shifts in place and runs his fingers through his hair uncomfortably, which somehow puts me more at ease.

“What did you want to talk about?” I ask softly.

Scenarios of what he might want to discuss run through my head. What if he’s going to reject me? Better yet, what if he’s taking pity on me and is giving me a half-hearted apology. God, I am so pathetic. Here is my real dad, and he doesn’t want me.

Mathias rubs his hands together. “I know that you're angry right now, and I don’t blame you, Nevaeh. But I want you to understand that before I met your mother, I had lost the woman I loved. I was so lost and heartbroken. I had no one. Then, to find out that I am no longer alone. That I have a daughter.” He hesitantly reaches for my hand and enfolds it in his larger one. I look at our hands in amazement. Mine is obviously much smaller, but they fit. To my surprise, I don’t feel awkward. In fact, it feels almost familiar. As weird as it is, considering that Mathias looks like he’s in his mid-twenties, I can feel the connection between us. I’m holding my real father’s hand.

“I don’t think you’re a mistake, Nevaeh. In fact, I think you’re a miracle, and I truly regret that I wasn’t there for you. I…I hope that you’ll give me the opportunity to make it up to you. I want to be your father.”

His confession is like a balm to my bruised soul. He’s asking me for a chance. Maybe this is how things should be.

Clearing my throat, I give him a tearful nod and squeeze his hand. “I would like that.”

He smiles back and is about to say something when suddenly a strange light erupts inside of the room.