When he spotted me, he got excited as if he had just won the lottery.

"Chloe, what a coincidence! You're here early, too? We were planning to go together. I wanted to see our daughter as soon as possible!" He stepped out of his car and briskly walked toward me.

I put some distance between us. I wasn't keen on our daughter going out to dinner with him.

Firstly, I didn't trust him at all. It also felt like a stab in the heart.

I quickly dialed my mother's number, fearing she might run into Matthew. I didn't want her to feel upset.

Only then did I welcome our daughter out. Upon seeing Matthew, Ava hesitated for a moment.

She instinctively looked up at me, and I understood her feelings. This child had learned to read the room.

Matthew, on the other hand, seemed natural. "Hey there, princess! Did you miss Daddy? Let me have a look!"

Ava didn't move, keeping her gaze on me.

"Say something, honey. Your dad wants you to join him for dinner. He was busy yesterday, so today, he's maki