Epilogue

Daisy

Three Months Later

It was exactly a year since I consumed my drugged hot chocolate and found myself in Daddy’s basement. It was the perfect date for us to register our wedding. The civil ceremony was a simple one, and our neighbours came to be our witnesses since Daddy shouldn't be marrying his patient. The year also marked my ban from alcohol. Daddy had reduced my mushroom medication gradually until I no longer needed it.

Daddy let me buy a stunning white and gold princess dress, but Daddy wore a black tux, so my dress didn't look over the top. After we parted ways with Mark and Jenna. The photographer took our pictures in the gardens. It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon. The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Daddy helped me and my dress into the car. Bear was happy in the back seat, but I turned to give him some loving. He was far too large for me to carry him now, but it didn't matter because he was still my baby bear.

“Where are we going?” I asked when I realised we weren't on our route back to the house.

“We are going to the coast, where I am going to fuck Mrs Lewis on the beach. Bear can watch if he wants or play in the water,” he said.

“Mrs Lewis makes me sound old,” I said as I slumped into my seat. Although, the sound of being fucked on the beach perked me up.

I jerked upright and turned to face Daddy.

“But I didn't pack anything,” I said in a panic. “How long are we going for?”

“Relax, I packed everything last night. We are staying at the beach house for a week,” he said before he took my hand.

“You're always so sneaky, Daddy,” I grinned.

“Old habits die hard,” he said as he kissed my hand before setting our joined hands on his lap.

I didn't ask where we were going or how long it would take because I was content to spend some time with Daddy and Bear by the sea. I glanced at my rings. The oval solitaire diamond ring sparkled under the warm rays of the sun. The gold wedding band matched the ring and my necklace. Daddy wore a simple platinum ring. I rubbed my fingers over his ring. We were married. It was difficult to believe how much my life had changed within a year.

◆◆◆

Daddy woke me up when he opened his door, and I felt a cool breeze rush into the car. Bear began to pace around the back seat with excitement while Daddy let him out.

“Stay,” Daddy said just as Bear was about to run off.

I opened my door, but Daddy lifted me out of the car to carry me towards the house. I glanced back to ensure Bear hadn't run off but sat beside the car. The trainer did an excellent job, but we had to adhere to their guidelines at home. Daddy was better than me because I was too soft with him.

Daddy unlocked the door while juggling with me and called Bear. He carried me upstairs until we reached the bedroom. The sea view was opposite the bed, and the full-length windows made it even more breathtaking.

“Baby, you relax. I’m going to get our luggage and take Bear out for a quick walk,” he said as he tugged his tie off.

I nodded and eyed him up. He had removed his jacket before he got in the car, but he looked just as sexy in his black trousers and white shirt. He put his arm around my waist before he kissed me.

“And don't you fucking dare touch your pussy,” he murmured.

“Why would you be putting ideas into my head, Daddy?” I said with a coy smile as I traced a finger over his lips.

“I will know, Daisy. I always do,” he said with a fiendish look.

My smile vanished, and I pushed away from him to look around the room. There was no way he had cameras in here. His laughter echoed behind him as he walked away and whistled for Bear.

Whatever.

He didn't know about the pregnancy test that I had stuffed between my breasts.

Nathan

Six Months Later

The lighting was terrible, and the pale yellow walls did nothing to brighten the dated and grimy room. Violet walked into the room, and I smiled at her. She would see it as a friendly gesture, but I took in her weary face, devoid of emotion. Her pale skin made her look like a ghoul, and the dark circles under her eyes didn't help.

“How are you today, Mrs Abbott?” I asked as she sat across the table from me.

She lifted her head, and I saw the irritation tighten her face.

“Call me Violet,” she said in a flat voice.

“My apologies, but I like to keep my sessions professional,” I said, but I wanted to remind her of her marriage and Tom.

I opened my notebook and wrote the date at the top of the page. A small flutter of excitement passed through me as I remembered that Daisy was due to give birth to our son in nine weeks.

“Why don't we talk about Daisy Knight today?” I said with a smile to hide my festering rage.

My drive to the prison had given me time to strategise my questions in order for them to have a maximum impact on her. The downside was the fury that I had to tamper down.

Surprise momentarily flitted across her face before she narrowed her eyes on me. The look of suspicion didn't last as she became wary and looked away from me. She put her hands on her lap and began to fidget.

“It’s been over thirteen years since you last saw or heard from Daisy. What was your reaction when you finally realised that Tom was sexually abusing your daughter?”

“That’s a lie,” she snapped at me before tucking her greying hair behind her ears.

“You knew he would sneak away at night. When he bought Daisy a laptop, how did that make you feel? It was such an expensive gift,” I said as I tapped my pen on the notebook.

“She was an ungrateful brat. She never deserved all those gifts he showered on her,” she said defensively as she placed her hands on the table.

“She was eight years old, Mrs Abbott. He had been grooming her for a long time before he raped her,” I said, trying not to clench my teeth, but I wanted to push her for a reaction.

I studied her as I waited for her response. Her hair and eye colour may have been similar to Daisy’s, but the dead, soulless look in her eyes was all Violet. Her arrest, trial and short time in prison had aged her.

“That didn't happen,” she said in a quieter voice, but she could not look at me as she kept her head facing down at the table.

Her reaction was gratifying because it made me realise that my mother’s would have been similar had she been given the chance.

“How did it make you feel that your husband didn't want to fuck you anymore?”

Her head snapped up at my direct hit.

“He must have missed her after she ran away,” I said with a tight smile, but my stomach churned at the thought of Tom.

My only consolation was that he died a painful death.

“Who are you? How do you know about Daisy? I haven't spoken about her for years.”

“It’s my job to know everything. You said that you had no motive to kill Tom, but there was the life insurance policy that you stood to benefit from, and he abused your daughter,” I said with a slight shrug.

“I told you before. I didn't kill Tom. Without him—”

“Ah, yes. He brought in the money from his business. So you betrayed the trust of a child for your comfort. Got it.”

“Dr Lewis, I never—”

“Mrs Abbott, I believe you. I believe that you didn't kill your husband,” I said, snapping my leather notebook shut. It was only there as a prop.

“Y-You do? Can you help me with an appeal? Testify about my mental—”

“No. I put you in here. Why on earth would I want to help you get out?” I said, watching her hope slowly morph into bewilderment as her brain tried to catch up with my words.

“The arsenic powder was easy to plant since Tom was the only coffee drinker in the house. I want you to sit and rot in your cell for the rest of your natural life. If you are released from your life sentence, I will be waiting for you, Violet,” I said in a low voice as I finally let my anger seep through.

She glanced towards the door in fear before nervously looking at me.

“But w-why did you do this to me?”

I stood up and straightened my jacket before I lifted my notebook.

“I hate paedophiles, but I hate the enablers just as much. I enjoyed watching Tom wither away to nothing. You were worse. Instead of protecting an innocent child, you ensured that the sexual abuse continued.”

She gulped before her back went rigid and sat upright in the cheap plastic chair.

“I will get my solicitor to—”

I began to laugh, cutting her off again.

“Who is going to believe you?” I said with a grin. “The receipt for the arsenic was found in your house. The poison was in your jar of coffee. Tom had been fucking one of your neighbours. No one will believe you, Violet.”

It took Daisy courage to confide in Violet. It was only fair that Violet felt a tiny fraction of what Daisy did. I leaned on the table until I was close enough for her to move back in her seat.

“Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year, you will be stuck in here for a murder that you didn't commit,” I said with a grim smile. “Try not to hang yourself, Violet.”

I stood up to leave, and by the time I got to the door, she was sobbing. I paused when she began to howl like the bitch she was, but not in empathy. I wanted to savour her anguish because it would keep me going until my next visit.

My wife was safe and happy, but at times, when she got a distant look in her eyes, I knew where she was. It took me years to block my past, and I knew she had a long way in her journey. Sometimes, it wasn't about forgetting but about releasing all the negative feelings towards yourself.

I would be by her side until the end of my days.

◆◆◆

The soothing classical music on the way home helped calm me down. By the time I parked my car, I was happy to be home with my family. Bear must have alerted Daisy to my return because she stood at the front door waiting for me. She smiled happily, and her hand rested on our baby.

She wore a teal shirt dress, which looked perfect for some easy access action. When I reached the top of the stairs, Daisy had stepped out with her bare feet.

“Hi, baby. Where are your slippers?” I said, ignoring Bear’s initial growl.

If he wasn't such an excellent guard dog, I would be irritated at how possessive he was of Daisy. He would’ve slept next to Daisy instead of me had I not put my foot down and kicked him out of the bedroom. She talked to Bear as if he were a human. At times, she would pause for his reaction before she carried on with her one-sided conversation.

“Hi, Daddy. You know I can't always find them when I look down,” she said with a smile. “How was work?”

“Fucking amazing,” I murmured before I rubbed her belly and guided her inside.

She knew what I was doing with Violet, but I never told her when I went or what I said. I would inform her with basic information if she had any general questions about Violet. The last thing I wanted was for her to be stressed in any way during her pregnancy. The woman had caused Daisy additional trauma, and I wanted to keep her away from Violet’s hateful nature.

“Mmm, Daddy. You always look hot in your work clothes,” Daisy said as we walked into the hallway.

“Is my baby needing some dick?” I said as I petted Bear since he was calm again.

“Yes, I can hardly get my hand down there,” she sulked as I stood up with a grin.

“Hey, that’s not my fault. That is Lucifer’s doing,” I said, dropping my briefcase on the floor to put my arms around her.

“We are not calling our son Lucifer Lewis,” she said with a frown.

Ever since she showed me the pregnancy test I went from pride to being content with our life. The entire experience bonded us in ways I hadn't expected, from reading books on pregnancy to practical preparations for the arrival of a new life that we created.

Daisy experienced some anxiety when doubts crept in regarding motherhood, but we worked through them together. She never knew that I had similar insecurities about fatherhood. Helping her helped me become resolute about what kind of man I needed to be for my family.

Her frown faded, and her eyes softened as she looked up at me. I never wanted the love in her gaze to diminish. I gently kissed her lips but began to unbutton her dress.

“Bear is watching,” she murmured.

“Give it up, Daisy. He watched us fuck outside.”

“That was one time and in a natural habitat, but I think he is still traumatised.”

I rolled my eyes but stopped unbuttoning her dress before I scooped her up to take her upstairs. She chuckled and put her arms around my neck.

“I love you, Daddy,” she said with a broad smile curving her plump lips.

I waited until we reached the bedroom we used on the first floor. Bear stood behind us but didn't step inside the room. I kicked the door shut and put Daisy on the bed. She watched intently as I removed my clothes. I loved her burgeoning pregnant body. I climbed onto the bed and resumed unbuttoning her dress.

“You're the love of my life, Daisy. I’ve been obsessed with you since I read your file. The day you walked into my office and insulted my Tom Ford suit roused a beast inside of me. Our love is twisted, and our dark souls complete one another. You are the only person who made me feel alive, baby,” I said solemnly before kissing her rounded belly.

When I carefully moved over her belly to face her, she was blinking away her tears. It was becoming easier to open up to Daisy. She never asked any prying questions about my family or my past. I wasn't proud of who I was in my younger years. The world was full of damaged people.

But Daisy was my miracle.

Daisy

Seven Years Later

I pushed Nathan away from me when I heard Camellia giggling outside our door. When he groaned, I glanced at him. He had flopped onto his back and flung an arm over his face. My birthday fuck would need to wait.

“You wanted to be a Daddy,” I whispered when I heard Darius colluding with Camellia.

His lips curled upward, and he lifted his wrist away from his eyes.

“I wanted to be a Daddy as soon as I met you and felt the urge to bend you over my knees to spank the fuck out of you,” he said as his silver eyes sparkled with amusement.

I groaned and flopped back onto the bed.

“You've not had your ass whipped in a while, baby,” he said as he leaned on his elbow, turning towards me.

“Why don't you make a start on breakfast, and I will be down in ten?” I said as I turned towards him.

“A lot could happen in ten minutes, and I don't trust you, so get your ass out of bed,” he said with a grin.

“It would only take me one minute, but I need the other nine to wash up,” I grumbled.

The kids knocked on the door, and Nathan told them to come in. I sat up and quickly kissed Daddy’s cheek with a smile.

“Happy birthday, Mummy,” Camellia shrieked in excitement as the door flew open with a flurry of movement.

Darius grinned and held a bouquet of flowers and a box, while Camellia had an envelope. Nathan moved the covers down so the kids could snuggle between us. Bear stood in the doorway, but he was restlessly moving.

“Come on, Bear. You can come in,” Nathan said as the kids climbed over him.

Camellia was born three years after Darius, and we decided that five was the perfect number for our family—well, seventeen if you count the goats and the chickens.

Darius patiently waited while Camellia thrust the envelope into my face as she climbed onto my lap. I brushed the dark curls away from her face before I kissed her.

“Thank you,” I said as I took the card from her.

Nathan kissed the tops of their heads before he got out of bed. Bear nudged my hand, and I stroked his head. He had been curious about Darius after he was born but he took well to both of the children and treated them like his charges.

“I’m going to get a vase. I will be back in a minute,” Nathan said as he pulled a T-shirt over his head.

My eyes rested on his black shorts, but Darius leaned over Cameilla.

“Happy birthday, Mum,” he said with a grin, which made me smile because he had a missing tooth.

I turned to give him a tight hug and a kiss. Darius had my lighter hair, but both inherited their father's grey eyes, which I loved.

Nathan paused at the doorway and looked at us before our eyes met. He didn't need to say anything. He told us every day that he loved us. Our children were cared for and safe.

Daddy had kept every promise he made to me and knew I loved him unconditionally. Daddy’s dark past was a part of who he was, just like mine was. He cracked Violet’s head like a walnut, and she didn't last long.

“I love you,” I mouthed to him.

He put his hand to his heart before he turned to leave, and I returned my attention to the children.

I listened to the kids' chatter, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude. My family was my entire world, and Nathan's love freed my soul from pain and torment.

My dark Daddy.

The End.