Alexander's expression immediately softened as he looked at Niki. "That's right. Daddy promised Niki, and Daddy always keeps his promises."
Danielle turned to her daughter, whose face was alight with an expectant smile. Suddenly, the refusal died on her lips. After a few seconds of silence, she said to Niki, "How about you let the nanny take you, sweetheart? Daddy has things to do."
"But Daddy promised me!" Niki pouted, tugging on Alexander's hand. "Daddy, do you have to leave?"
Alexander knelt, stroking Niki's hair, his eyes firm. "No, I don't. Daddy took the day off specifically to take Niki to school." He then looked up at Danielle. "I made a promise to my daughter. I can't break it."
Danielle looked from Niki's hopeful eyes to Alexander, and the defensive walls she had built up crumbled. She knew she couldn't refuse. She couldn't disappoint her daughter over her own emotional turmoil, nor could she let Alexander become a liar in their child's eyes.
"...Alright," Danielle finally nodded, her voice so soft it was almost lost in the air. "Then you take her to school. Drive safely."
A flicker of relief crossed Alexander's face. He turned back to the kitchen. "You eat your porridge first. I'll go get Niki ready."
As she watched Alexander lead Niki into the bathroom, the sound of their lighthearted chatter filling the apartment, Danielle sat on the sofa and stared at the bowl of porridge, completely bewildered. She had no idea what Alexander was thinking; her mind was a tangled mess. Every rational thought told her to draw a clear line in the sand.
-
At the entrance of the complex, Alexander held Niki's hand while Danielle opened the door to the waiting car. He hesitated for a moment. "After I drop Niki off, I'll take you to the Aerospace Institute. It's on the way."


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