Disclaimer: This story is completely fictional. I own none of this characters and I am in no way associated with any of the Chapman family. This story is purely fan-made.

Note: I had previously uploaded this story to another site, however I have changed it since. The story was under the same name and is also mine – in case anyone recognises it.

Prologue

I pulled onto the curb outside of the small one floor home, Duane Lee's small one floored home. I licked my lips in anticipation as I pulled the keys from the ignition. I wasn't ready, I knew that already.

I wasn't ready to see him, face him.

It had been two days, 48 hours since I had last seen him and that look, that look he gave me before he left was engrained on my memory forever. The look of anger, hurt, disgust. I cringed, feeling my insides tighten just at the thought of it. I couldn't bare to see it again, I prayed I wouldn't have to – but I knew better. I knew those emotions; those feelings wouldn't disappear in the space of a few hours.

As much as I wished they would.

I sighed loudly; looking at the house I noticed the movement by the window. They knew I was here, he knew I was here. I felt my stomach tighten further. I looked at my baby girl sleeping peacefully in her seat beside me, unaware – blissfully unaware of it all. I felt guilt consume me as I thought of it. The closing of a door filled the area outside of the car, I felt my breathe hinge in my throat as I noticed him standing outside.

Hair pulled back tightly, a black tank top emphasizing his tan and physique, his arms folded tightly – his head facing the ground staring at his bare feet. Already, he was unwilling to look at me. I swallowed, hard.

"C'mon baby, let's go see daddy." I almost groaned in a whisper, unhooking the straps of her seat. I ignored the sick feeling in my stomach as I opened the car door, stepping out and reaching for her seat. She stirred, her eyes opening as I did so. Her brown eyes gazing at me with love already, a contrast to her fathers that I knew I was about to meet.

"Wanna see daddy?" I repeated optimistically, displaying a smile as I carried her from the car taking the short, but seemingly long walk up the drive.

Leland looked up for the first time, directing his eyes to his daughter – only his daughter.

"Hey munchkin." He smiled with the same optimism as me. Fake. False.

Just for her.

He outstretched his tattooed arms for his beaming child as she reached for him too. I looked at him, waiting for something, anything.

"I'll see you at five." He said coldly, his eyes not looking at me, his attention focused on his daughter purposely.

I felt my stomach churn more than ever. My chest tightened. "Ok." Was all I managed feeling the threat of salt water from behind my eyes.

Leland didn't notice, he couldn't – He didn't look at me, not once as he pulled back the clear door of the house and stepped inside Cleo bouncing happily on his hip.

I watched if only briefly – waiting, hoping. Waiting for Leland to turn around, hoping he'd walk back outside, waiting for him to tell me that he loved me – hoping that he still did.

I turned on my heel, letting the tears fall now that I knew I couldn't be seen – he didn't turn around, and neither did I.