❧R E M O R S E ❧ [the sequel]

❧thirty one❧

N A R R A T I O N ❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

"Papa how long am I staying with you?" Adalyn asked with furrowed eyebrows as she looked out the car window

It was a silent drive with just the two of them. Ava had gone home; she said she had to get some things before coming over to Mattia's house. Adalyn knew better than to ask questions though; as much as she was curious. Her father was a ticking time bomb. She could only do so much to make him happy

"You know you have to be back home tomorrow, Adalyn" he said as he kept his eyes on the road

She sighed and stared out the window. "Why can't I be with you whenever I want"

"Because me and mommy aren't together so we have to share you" he exhaled as he checked his mirror and glanced at his daughter who wasn't in the mood

"You promised me I would wear the white dress and throw flowers"

"You will" he said smiling . "But for me and Ava. It won't be any different" he assured her

She nodded carefully as they entered his drive through. They exited the car and entered the house before getting a call from Ava that she was only minutes away

Adalyn walked into the living room as she usually did and sat on the comfortable couch as she took the television remote in one hand and clicked gently on the 'on' button.

"Adalyn Ava's here. I'm gonna help her bring her things inside" Mattia said loudly before unlocking the front door and walking down the porch. Adalyn had ignored what her father was doing when she had seen him haul two large cardboard boxes inside. They were bigger than her when stacked together and she shut off her show

"Papa what's this?" She asked as she trotted towards the boxes and ran her finger along their rigid textures

She looked up to see her father hauling more in. And Ava stepped inside the house behind him; shutting the door as she sighed of relief. "Finally done" she smiled and kissed Mattia on the cheek

"What are these big boxes for?" Adalyn asked curiously

"For me. I'm gonna be staying here with you guys" she smiled as she took off her shoes and placed them on a shoe rack by the hallway.

Adalyn's face lit up but then fell... into what seemed to be sadness and confusion. Her eyebrows furrowed as her lips became tense and she shook her head before clutching her hands to her shirt. "S-so I can't see mommy anymore?" She looked up at Ava and then at the door. "Take me to mommy's house now!" She said as she began putting her shoes on

Mattia bent down to comfort his daughter who was clearly in a panic. "Hey hey hey" he said softly as he stopped her from putting her other pair of ballerina flats on. "You're gonna see mommy tomorrow. Why wouldn't you?" He asked startled at the reaction he had witnessed from his little girl

She never acted this way. He wondered wha that influenced it.

"Because Ava's living here now. She's gonna be the new mommy a-and I just want my old one. Take me to mommy!" She said loudly when her father had begun getting annoyed. He took her hand when she pulled it back