Page 69 of Devil in Disguise

“She didn’t understand. Neither did I, but therapy helped.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen Danika?”

“Almost two months now,” Dante whispered.

“And who is taking care of Danika now?”

“Her therapist,” Dante admitted. “Danika was comfortable with her. Danny thought of everything. Before he left, he gave me some documents, just in case shit went sideways. Documents to protect our daughter. I never thought I’d have to use them, but I did.”

“I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been for you both,” Haizley said, her voice filled with empathy. “Danika is a brave little girl, and it’s clear you two are dedicated parents. Now, Dante, I want to understand your perspective on all of this. Danny has shared his version of events, and I’d like to give you the space to share yours.”

Dante’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes searching for reassurance. I gave him a small smile, hoping to convey that it was safe for him to open up.

“It’s not easy, talking about this stuff,” Dante began, his voice steady as his hands clenched and unclenched in his lap. “When Danny left, I was worried sick. Not just about him, but about Danika, too. I knew that if something happened to Danny, I’d lose them both. It was a constant fear in the back of my mind, eating away at me. I tried to be strong for Danika, but there were days when I felt like I was falling apart.” He paused, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Then, when I found out Danny was hurt, I had to make a choice. A choice no parent should ever have to make. Do I stay with my daughter or do I go to the love of my life? I chose Danny, and I’ve questioned that decision every day since.”

Haizley listened intently, her eyes reflecting the pain in Dante’s words. “It’s clear you made a difficult choice, Dante, and one that you believed was best for your family. Parenting often involves making tough decisions, and it sounds like you were faced with an impossible situation. It’s understandable that you feel conflicted. Your love for Danika and your commitment to Danny are evident, and I can only imagine the weight of your responsibilities as a father and a partner.”

Haizley’s words hung in the air, heavy with understanding and compassion. Dante’s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, met mine, seeking the reassurance I longed to give.

“I know it was a tough choice, Dante. And I understand the weight of your decision.” Haizley’s gentle tone provided a momentary solace in the midst of our turmoil.

Dante’s voice, steady but laden with emotion, filled the room once more. “I appreciate that, Haizley. But it doesn’t change the fact that I feel like I failed them both. I chose Danny and I would do it again, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Every day I worry about Danika, about the impact of our choices on her young life.” His hands clenched in his lap, reflecting the tension within him, a tension I knew all too well.

“The choices we make out of love are never easy,” Haizley said, her eyes holding a wisdom that spoke of experiences untold. “But they are choices made with the best of intentions. Children are resilient, and Danika has two loving parents who would do anything for her. Remember that and know that your love and commitment will always be what she needs most.”

Chapter Thirty

Danny

Standing under the hot shower, something was wrong.

I knew it.

A gnawing unease, like a toothache that refused to be ignored, settled deep in my gut. It wasn’t just a forgotten detail. It was a damn chasm of forgotten faces. Someone I vowed to protect... or had vowed to protect. My oath felt brittle, as it crumbled under the weight of... what? Was it guilt? Regret? Faces blurred, a kaleidoscope of anxious eyes and pleading hands, none fully formed, yet each screaming its silent agony at me to remember.

Someone important... but who else had I failed?

Had I made a choice, a terrible, compromising choice to save myself, leaving another to suffer? The thought was like a poison that twisted in my stomach. No matter what I did, fear permeated my body, damn near choking me in its grip. But worse than the fear was the self-loathing because I fucking knew I had failed someone.

Someone I vowed to protect.

“Danny?” I heard Dante and closed my eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just enjoying the hot shower,” I lied when I heard the shower curtain move as he slipped in behind me.

The water cascaded over my body, but I barely felt its warmth. Dante’s presence offered no comfort, and the sound of his voice only added to my turmoil.

I clenched my jaw, fighting the rising panic.

Who was it?

A face flashed in my mind, pale and frightened, but it slipped away before I could grasp it.

I balled my hands into fists, willing my memory to cooperate.

“Danny, talk to me,” Dante said, his voice gentle but insistent. “You’ve been in here a while. You’re not okay, are you?”

I wanted to tell him, to unburden myself, but the words stuck in my throat, choked by my shame. How could I admit that I, Sypher, the keeper of fucking secrets, had forgotten someone? Forgotten my promise to protect them. The weight of my failure pressed down on me and threatened to crush me beneath its guilt.

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