He gently touched her head, asking softly, "Does it still hurt?"

Evelyn, brought back from her drowsy thoughts by her father's presence, snuggled into his embrace. “It still hurts," she whispered.

Leonel tenderly massaged the sore spot, soothing her.

Half-asleep in her father's arms, Evelyn murmured that she was hungry.

Noting the time, Leonel smiled at her quick return of appetite.

He lifted his daughter, carrying her downstairs.

Indulging her reluctance to walk, he fully embraced his role as a doting father.

The house was well-prepared for Evelyn, equipped with everything a child could need. In the kitchen, Leonel set up a pink booster chair and had Evelyn sit there while he cooked.

He decided to prepare a substantial meal, anticipating that Alexis would join them later.

As he cooked, Leonel engaged in conversation with Evelyn, keen to catch up on her childhood years he had missed.

His interest in her early life was evident. He was eager to learn more about his daughter.

Evelyn indeed had a remarkable memory for a child so young, recalling even distant memories with clarity, much to Leonel's delight.

Out of nowhere, she asked in her soft, sweet voice, "Mr. Douglas, are you my daddy?"

Leonel, startled by the question, accidentally cut his finger, a streak of red blood appearing.

He momentarily froze but regained his composure as Evelyn repeated her question. Turning to her gently, he affirmed, "Yes, I'm Daddy!"

Evelyn then fell silent, gazing at him with eyes full of longing.

Although Calvin had filled in for the father figure in her two-and-a-half-year life, somewhere deep inside, she seemed to know that he wasn't her real father and longed to connect with her real dad.

Leonel's emotions swirled. He had spent the day wrestling with how to approach this topic with Evelyn.

But she, with her innate cleverness, had made it easier than he'd anticipated.

He quickly cleaned the blood from his finger and dried his hands before lifting her into his arms.