What If He Says That to Our Daughter

-In the dead of night, when the world is silent, her whispers haunt the shadows of my mind. “Daddy, I’m so tired… I don’t want to be here anymore.” Her small voice, trembling like a ghost, echoes in my heart — a chilling reminder of the fragile life we’re trying to hold together. Late at night, when silence drapes the room, my mind whispers the questions I’m too scared to ask. Was I happy? Or just trying to be? Did he make me happy, or was I chasing shadows — because he was my first love? Or was there something more? I gave him all I had, because I loved him that much. But my mind spirals, questions tearing through me: Was it the right choice — to stay with him? I forgave him, for love’s sake. I wished… I thought of dying instead. But what if he tells my daughter — the one I want to protect — “This is why I can’t love you.” What if our little girl comes to him, with heavy, silent tears, whispering, “Daddy, I have dying thoughts. I feel lost, alone, and broken.” Will he see her pain? Or tell her she’s the reason he can’t love her? How will she feel then? Is that what I want for her? To carry this weight before she even learns to breathe? I love him — but isn’t she the result of that love? Isn’t she just as important as I am to him? Isn’t she our blood, our sweat, our tears, our prayers whispered late at night? Then why — what if he can’t hold her like I hope he will? What if he can’t hold me, either? He is my partner, yes, but she — she is ours. Isn’t she? And isn’t it both our responsibility — his and mine — to hold on tight, to protect her, to be with her, to make sure we find happiness together? Why is he like this? I know his view is broken — but aren’t we the ones he loves? Shouldn’t I, his partner, and our daughter too, be safe in his arms? Can’t he see I’m breaking — the one who stayed, the one who loved him through every crack and flaw? I want him to teach her that pain isn’t the answer, but when everything falls apart — when my heart feels just like hers — Is he the one I should trust to hold our daughter’s fragile heart? Is he the one I should spend the rest of my life with?