Page 37 of Single Orc Daddy

I'm sorry, something came up. Can we talk later?

The moment I send it, I feel like the world's biggest asshole. I look up at Valeria, frustration boiling over.

"You know what? I always put Zola first. Always. But you just called me over here tonight because you want to monopolize my time. You're using our daughter as a pawn, and it's not right."

Valeria's face contorts with anger. "How dare you accuse me of using Zola! I'm just trying to be a good mother!"

We go back and forth for a few more minutes, neither of us backing down. Finally, I've had enough.

"I'm done with this tonight. We'll talk about Zola's schedule later, when we've both calmed down," I say, heading for the door.

As I leave, I feel the weight of my failures crushing me. I've disappointed Chloe, I'm at odds with Valeria, and I feel like I'm failing Zola. How the hell am I supposed to fix this mess?

I grip the steering wheel tightly as I drive away from Valeria's house, my mind racing with doubts. Am I doing the right thing? The question loops endlessly in my head, each repetition more tormenting than the last.

I can't stop thinking about Chloe, imagining her sitting alone at the restaurant, feeling abandoned. The fear of losing her gnaws at me, twisting my insides into knots. How the hell am I supposed to balance both Zola and Chloe? And Valeria... she's always going to be in my life because of Zola. How am I supposed to handle her?

The pressure of my dual responsibilities feels like it's crushing me. I'm torn between being a good father and being a good partner, and right now, I feel like I'm failing at both.

I can't take it anymore. I pull over to the side of the road, my hands shaking as I put the car in park. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I call Chloe. My finger hovers over her name in my contacts for a moment before I finally press it.

The phone rings, each second feeling like an eternity. My heart pounds in my chest, and I grip the steering wheel tighter, knuckles turning a pale shade of green. When Chloe answers, the hurt in her voice is palpable, and it cuts me to the core. I can almost see her face, those beautiful green eyes filled with disappointment.

"Chloe, I'm so fucking sorry," I start, my voice thick with regret. I run a hand through my short, dark hair, frustration coursing through me. "I know I've let you down again. Valeria called about Zola, and I... I couldn't just ignore it. Shit, I feel like I'm constantly failing you."

I explain the situation with Valeria, laying it all out. As I talk, I hate how much strain my divided attention is putting on our relationship. The guilt weighs heavily on me, settling in my chest like a lead weight. I'm an orc, for fuck's sake. I should be strong enough to handle this.

"I understand this isn't fair to you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I can feel the muscles in my jaw clenching as I struggle to find the right words. "I know I need to do better. You deserve so much more than this constant back-and-forth."

Chloe's quiet for a moment before she speaks. The silence is deafening, and I find myself holding my breath. "Rendal, we need to have a serious conversation about our future. This can't keep happening."

"We'll find some time this week, I swear." I hate the way that the silence echoes across the line. "We'll talk."

"Okay." It's all she says, and it fucking kills me. "I have to go put Penelope to bed."

Grinding my teeth, I nod even though she can't see it. "I understand. I'll talk to you later."

The line clicks off, and I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. The gravity of this situation is becoming too much for me to keep carrying, and I need to find a balance. Idon't want to lose Chloe, and I will always do what is best for my daughter.

I don’t want to keep failing them both.

CHAPTER 19

Chloe

Isit on a park bench, watching Penelope climb the jungle gym. The sun warms my face, but I can't shake the chill in my heart. Rendal's absence weighs heavily on me, and I find myself checking my phone every few minutes, hoping for a message that never comes.

"Look, Mommy!" Penelope calls out, waving from the top of the structure. I force a smile and wave back, trying to push away the nagging worries about my relationship.

As I watch her play, my mind wanders to the last conversation with Rendal. His words echo in my head, leaving me feeling confused and hurt. I shake my head, trying to focus on the present moment. This outing is for Penelope, I remind myself. She shouldn't have to deal with my emotional turmoil.

Suddenly, a loud thud breaks through my thoughts, followed immediately by a cry of pain that makes my blood run cold. I jump to my feet, my heart racing as I scan the playground.

"Penelope?" I call out, panic rising in my throat. I rush towards the jungle gym, my eyes searching frantically for my daughter.

I spot her on the ground near the base of the structure, clutching her arm and sobbing. I rush over to Penelope, my heart pounding in my chest. She's on the ground, clutching her arm and sobbing uncontrollably. I drop to my knees beside her, trying to keep my voice calm despite the fear tightening my chest.

"Shh, it's okay, sweetie. Mommy's here," I soothe, gently brushing her hair back from her tear-stained face. "Can you show me where it hurts?"