Page 146 of Blue Gold

“Yes, sweetheart, we can.”

After that, we walked around the park for a bit more before I took her back to her mother’s home, which was once mine as well. With my working hours, or at least the ones I used to have, and prioritizing Maya’s comfort, it was better that she lived here with Claudia. Besides, her mother was always a much more attentive parent, and in our divorce, having Maya stay with her was the only thing she asked for. While at first I argued we’d have shared custody, I’d long since realized I was incapable of that. As disappointing as it was to admit I sucked as a father, Maya’s interests were a higher priority than my pride.

Once we reached home, Maya ran up the steps leading into the house and opened the door with the keys I gave her. The only thing she didn’t do was close it behind her, but I did it for her. By the time I walked inside, Claudia had already picked up Maya into her arms.

“You’re back late,” she said, focusing on our daughter.

I knew she was still angry at me, but around Maya, she did her best to hide it.

“Daddy took me to the park.” Maya beamed, and I was thankful she didn’t mention the part about me forgetting to pick her up on time.

“That explains all the leaves in your hair,” Claudia chuckled, putting Maya down. “How about you run to the shower?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Without wasting time, Maya took her backpack from me and dashed upstairs.

Claudia and I both looked at where she went as the sound of her steps filled the space.

“There’s a boy in school who picks on her,” Claudia said, cutting the awkward silence that Maya left behind her.

“Is there?” I frowned.

Crossing her arms, she sighed. “Yes.”

“Should I call the school?”

Smoothing her hand over her neck, she shook her head. “No need. I already took care of it. I just thought you should know.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

She pretended to look around.

“I also signed her up for ballet class. She’s wanted it for a while now…”

I nodded like some idiot. “Good. That’s good.”

“It’s on Mondays and Wednesdays, so it means you’ll have to pick her up from there. I’ll send you the address; it’s not far from the school.”

“Thank you.”

She clicked her tongue. “Well, I’ve got to go back to work, so…”

“I’ll show myself out.”

Somehow, no matter how much time passed, I still struggled with feeling like a stranger in a place I used to call home. Sure, I was never my real self between these walls, but it was still my home.

I was about to go when I remembered something.

“You told Maya about Elliot?”

Stopping in her tracks, Claudia half turned to look at me.

“Eventually, she’ll know, so I thought it’s better to prepare the ground,” she huffed, trying to make light of it.

She might still be angry and hurt, and yet, she’d already thought about involving Elliot in Maya’s life. I doubted she understood how much it meant to me.

Elliot will be so happy when I tell him.