Rise of the Dann

Xenna

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Eva snapped, her voice sharp. “My mother told me everything. You asked my father for $500,000 before disappearing without a word. You left me to pick up the pieces while my world fell apart.”

“That’s not true!” Dann’s voice raised in protest, his frustration evident. “I never asked for money. Your family threw me out, Eva! They never wanted me to be part of your life.”

Eva’s eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched. “And yet, you left me. I was the one who paid the price for that night. I lost control of my company, Dann. My family turned their backs on me because I chose to keep Xenna. I gave up everything because I thought you’d come back. But you never did.”

Silence filled the room as Dann struggled to process her words. He could see the pain etched on her face, the bitterness she had held onto all these years. It was clear now that something had gone terribly wrong, that there were things he hadn’t known or understood.

“I joined the military because I thought... I thought it was the only way I could become worthy of you, Eva,” Dann said softly, his voice cracking with emotion. “I wanted to come back to you as a man who could give you a better life, not the broken person I was. I didn’t know about Xenna. I swear.”

Eva’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart torn between anger and the vulnerability she’d buried deep inside. “And now you think you can just come back and make everything right? After five years?”

Dann took a step closer, his expression earnest. “I know I’ve made mistakes. I know I can’t erase what happened. But I want to make things right—for you, and for Xenna.”

Eva’s hands trembled as she brushed her fingers through Xenna’s hair, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. “You’ve missed so much, Dann. You don’t know the first thing about being a father. Xenna doesn’t need a stranger in her life.”

“Give me a chance,” Dann pleaded, his eyes locking with Eva’s. “Let me prove to you that I can be the father she deserves. That I can be the man you deserve.”

Eva’s heart ached as she looked at the man who once was her husband, the man she had loved but also the man who had hurt her so deeply. She wanted to protect Xenna from further pain, but she couldn’t deny the look in Dann’s eyes—the sincerity, the regret, the desire to make amends.

Xenna looked up at her mother, her small voice breaking the tension. “Mommy... can Daddy come with us?”

Eva’s breath caught in her throat, her heart breaking at the hope in her daughter’s voice. She hesitated, her gaze shifting between Xenna and Dann. She had spent years building walls to protect herself and her daughter from the hurt, but now those walls were starting to crack.

Finally, Eva nodded slowly, though her voice remained firm. “Alright, Dann. But understand this: you may be her father, but you have to earn her trust... and mine. This won’t be easy.”

Dann exhaled in relief, though he knew the journey ahead would be difficult. “Thank you, Eva. I won’t let you down. I promise.”

As they walked out of the airport together, Eva remained wary, her mind filled with doubt. Dann had returned, but the scars of the past were still fresh. Only time would tell if he truly deserved the second chance he was asking for.

Eva finally agreed to be driven home by Dann, mostly for Xenna sake. Her daughter had longed for a father figure for years, and though Eva's heart was still filled with doubt, she knew Xenna deserved the chance to know the man who claimed to be her father, even if that man had once shattered their lives.

As they stepped out of the airport, Eva was taken aback by the sight of a sleek black limousine waiting for them. The vehicle gleamed in the late afternoon sun, its design clearly a limited edition, with a special license plate that immediately caught her attention. The entire scene felt surreal. Since when did Dann have access to something so luxurious?

Max, Dann's assistant, opened the door with a respectful nod, revealing an interior that was even more extravagant—luxurious leather seats, sleek touchscreens, and polished wooden accents. Eva hesitated for a moment, her breath catching at the sight. This was far beyond what she had ever imagined the once-struggling man she knew could afford.

Feeling the weight of her confusion, Eva stepped into the limo, holding Xenna hand, who was still wide-eyed in awe of the splendor around them. Dann followed, sitting silently beside her, but his presence felt different now. There was something new about him—something more than just the physical transformation.

As the limousine smoothly pulled away, Eva’s eyes drifted around the space, taking in every small detail. From the soft, plush seats to the subtle, expensive fragrance that filled the air, everything screamed of wealth and power. Questions raced through her mind—How could Dann have changed so much in just five years?

Her gaze then fell on Dann's collar, where a small, almost unnoticeable pin was attached. It looked familiar somehow, like something she had seen before but couldn’t quite place. There was something about that insignia, something that tugged at a distant memory, though she couldn’t recall where or when.

As the ride continued, another oddity caught her attention. The typically congested route from the airport to her family’s estate was surprisingly clear. The roads that were usually jammed with traffic at this hour were eerily empty. Not a single car seemed to obstruct their way. Eva furrowed her brows, sensing that something wasn’t right.

Why are the streets so quiet? she wondered. This part of the city was notorious for its traffic, especially at this time of day. But now, it felt as if the entire road had been cleared just for them.

She glanced over at Dann, who appeared calm, unfazed by the strange circumstances. It was as if this kind of luxury and preferential treatment were entirely normal for him now. Who is he now? The question echoed in her mind as she studied him.

Dann didn’t say a word during the ride, and Eva wasn’t sure she wanted to ask him directly. But there was an unmistakable sense of power surrounding him now. The extravagant limousine, the empty streets, the small, mysterious pin on his collar—it all pointed to a life far beyond what she had ever imagined for him.