Tom's POV:

  I recalled after Chat's phone conversation feeling remorseful.

  I should have stayed.

  It was a horrible thing, Sabine and I did abandoning Marinette when she needed us most.

   I knew now it was too late.

    I would never see her again.

   Sure, I arrived in time for the funeral.

    It did not fix a thing.

    I had the guilt in my heart and the pain of loss.

    I  sobbed as the service ended.

    It seemed to finalize everything for me.

       I  felt the burden of the past come back to me.

        Four days later, I sat in the new home.

        It was okay, but not the same.

        Nothing was the same since the day I found out my daughter was truly gone for good.

           Flashback...

           "Papa, come on, teach me how to bake croissants, please."  Ten-year-old Marinette pleaded.

           I caved and showed her how.  I made sure to place them inside the oven so she would not get burned.   I knew she was too young to do it all herself.

        One day, after school, my daughter came home in tears. She was only twelve at the time. I asked her what happened?

      I never will forget her response.  "Chole says, I am a stuck-up snob."

     I  hugged her, gave her a cookie, and reassured her of her mother and my love for her.

       I could tell this cheered her up as she laughed when I tickled her.

        Years later, she had crush after crush. Each one rejected her for various reasons.

       I recalled her longest crush was on Adrien Agreste. Then, found out she crushed on Chat Noir as well.

         I supported her.

        On her last day alive, an akuma came and attacked the city. I failed her as a father. I  escaped the bakery with her mother.   I  failed to make sure Marinette got out.

         End of Flashback...

       I would give anything to have the lost years back.

       I felt as if somehow  I ruined the future.

       Perhaps in some small way, I had since I did not save my daughter.   I would never have a son-in-law or grandchildren.  I would never get to see her happy even one last time.

         Yep, I was a horrible parent, and I knew it.

             I  defended Chat Noir the day that Sabine and I came back to Paris.

            I knew we only stayed for two days.

            I could not let Chat take the blame for everything.  How was it his fault?  

             I knew Chat got her out of the rubble.

               I saw him at the funeral but did not say a word to Sabine.

             I decided it was best since she did not have a good standing with him.

             I  am now back away from Paris.

             My memories will last forever, no how painful they might be for me.

              Find out more in Chapter 20

             bye, bye little owlets!

           -Summer out! 

Chapter 19 was originally  published on April 8, 2021, and edits were made to the Chapter on April 23, 2021.