IMDD CHAPTER 256 (Patreon)

His head leaned back against the wall, eyes gazing vacantly into the distance. "You’re claiming that I… lost my memories…" he mused, his lips curling into a disbelieving smile. "That’s like telling a human that magical winged horses exist, Eva.” His smile faded. “I remember every little thing, every minute detail throughout the years of my existence… years that extend far beyond what you could even fathom.”

His eyelashes fluttered down, casting shadows over his intensely dark eyes. "It's impossible for someone like me to forget anything, Eva. So spare yourself from wasting your breath. To suggest I've lost memories is to suggest the sun forgets to rise, Eva. It’s... it’s inconceivable."

He then glanced at her, his dark eyes shimmering with dark emotions. "You don't know how much I've tried just so I could forget just one moment, just one event, or just one face... but no matter how I tried, every face, every moment—I remember them all.”

His words made her feel a pang in her chest. It hurts… hearing all that hurts. She couldn’t even imagine what kind of turmoil he’d gone through to strongly desire to forget. Yes, she did not have any idea but she could just feel the extremity of it. It might be something a human like her would never fully understand.

But she cannot back off. She just can’t. Not when he’s finally here. But what should she do? Just how would she make him believe?

No… The very first problem she must solve right now is how to make him listen. To make him stay and not leave so she’d have the time to reveal everything and eventually do everything she could to make him believe. Right, she must do something…

Just then, as if answering her silent plea, Gaia’s voice echoed.

"Mommy? Daddy?" Gaia's innocent voice, filled with curiosity and sleepiness, cut through the tension.

Gage froze. Eva, on the other hand, saw an opportunity in Gaia's arrival. Her face lit up, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. Here was the answer she had been searching for, the key to keeping Gage here—to make him just listen to her!

"Good morning, Gigi," Eva greeted, her smile a blend of warmth and strategy as she engaged with their daughter, while Gage remained silent behind her.

"Good morning, mommy," Gaia replied cheerfully.

"Your daddy and I are just talking, deary," Eva explained.

She watched as Gaia ran towards them, her small arms open in expectation. Eva scooped her up, hugging her tightly before turning to face Gage.

"Good morning, daddy," Gaia chimed, her greeting directed towards Gage.

In a fluid motion, almost too quick for Gage to react, Eva transferred Gaia into his arms. His expression, one of surprise and mild bewilderment, was a sight that nearly brought a laugh from Eva.

Left without a choice, Gage cradled Gaia in his strong arm. "Morning," he responded, the word coming out somewhat forced but not unkind.

Gaia tilted her head adorably as she gazed up at her father.

Her small, delicate hand then reached out, her fingers tentatively exploring the long strands of his hair, twirling them gently.

"Daddy… your hair… is longer than mine," Gaia said with a soft, questioning lilt in her voice.

Her query left Gage grappling for a response.

Gage felt like he was malfunctioning. He didn’t know what to respond to that in a way that won’t sound too harsh or insensitive. What if his response was inappropriate? What if he’d make her sad or worse, cry?

He glanced at Eva but she was already leaving, causing Gage to also move and follow her. He needed to give this child back to her now. He can’t let this innocent pure little being to be more comfortable of him anymore than this! But first… he need to say something!

“Your hair will grow just like your mo –” he broke off as he realized Eva’s hair was no longer long. This was the first time he’d seen her in this very short haircut. “I’ll cut it if you don’t like it long.” He said lowly, clearing his throat as he looked at Eva’s back again.

"I… like it," Gaia replied softly, her eyes shining. "Can I braid them, daddy?"

___

CHAPTER 257>>