IMDD CHAPTER 287 (Patreon)

"Have a fantastic day at school, princess. I'll be here to pick you up," Gage whispered, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"I will, Daddy. Love you!" Gigi hugged him back, then turned to join her friend, leaving Gage to exchange a brief, polite nod with Miss Susan before he made his way back to his car.

Once he was back in his parked car, Gage quietly stood there, taking deep, quiet breaths. His mind was now filled with nothing but thoughts on how he could make up with both Gaia and Eva for all the times he wasn’t there for them.

He wanted to make up for everything. Everything…

For a long time, he simply leaned against his car. And once he calmed himself, the air around him abruptly shifted to casual observation.

To any passerby, he appeared to be a parent – well, a big shot parent – savoring a moment of peace before starting his day. But beneath this facade, his mind was actually actively scanning the perimeter, assessing every entrance, every security detail of the prestigious academy that now housed his and Eva’s most precious treasure—their daughter, Gaia.

Lifting his face up, Gage stared at the highest tower of the old academy. He then entered his car but instead of starting the engine, he vanished into thin black smoke.

In a blink of an eye, he reemerged atop the academy's highest tower in a swirl of black smoke. Standing there, his gaze swept over the school grounds with an otherworldly calmness.

Earlier, when he saw that Eva was leaving by herself, Gage had actually felt such strong urge to stop her and hold her back. His entire being was itching to grab her hand and ask her to just stay with him, to keep her safe within the confines of their walls under his vigilant watch.

But he fought himself so hard. He had already learned it the hard way, that doing that will not do anything. He’d only make her life miserable and even end up destroying their relationship. He already knew all too well that confinement was not protection. Their history had taught him that safety didn't come from imprisonment, and he was determined not to fall into that trap again.

Still, restraining his overprotective instinct had been a battle as always. Especially because the fear within him that something will happen because he let her go was damn so strong.

And with Gigi, now in the picture, the struggle felt insurmountable. The worry simmering within him now doubled, extending to his child.

Clenching his fists, Gage threw his head back. Strands of his dark hair gently dancing with the breeze as his eyes stared up at the clear blue sky. This, he thought, must be his last chance. He somehow… could just feel it. This was his last chance to end this cycle and that’s why he was going to give everything… everything… to finally have that happy ever after.

He would do anything… sacrifice anything… to save Eva… to protect his family . He would bend heavens itself if that’s what it takes.

…

When the bell rang out, Gage picked up Gigi from school.

As they were leaving in the car, the two of them chatted. Gigi chatted gleefully about the things they learned. She also happily told Gage his classmates and teacher said her father was so handsome, which just elicited a grin on Gage’s face.

"Where do you want to eat, princess? We're going to have lunch somewhere before we go visit grandpa," Gage then asked, worrying if his daughter was hungry.

"Hmm… let me think, daddy," Gigi murmured, her gaze wandering outside the car window.

After a long time, Gage was about to suggest, when the little girl’s eyes lit up as a familiar sign came into view—a fast food drive-thru. "Daddy!!! There!! There!! I want to buy food there," she exclaimed, her grin infectious.

Gage blinked, taken aback by her choice. Fast food? His mind immediately raced with concerns about nutrition and health. He couldn't possibly let his little princess eat something that wasn't good for her, especially at such a young age, could he?

"Uh, Gigi, darlin’… why don't we try something else…" he trailed off as he noticed her bright smile fading and quickly turning into a sad pout.

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CHAPTER 288>>