Her smile taltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered, shrugging delicately. “If you want me to apologize to her, I can do that. I’m willing to make
amends”
I set my fork down deliberately, the metal clinking against the plate. My patience was thinning by the second. “Do you think a simple ‘sorry” is going to erase years ___ of torment? False accusations? Taking her child away from her?”
Her painted smile disappeared entirely, replaced by a thicker of discomfort. She looked away, bertingers fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth. For a moment, 1 thought I’d finally shut her up
“I just want a chance,” she said softly, her voice lacking its usual confidence. “I’ll try to be nicer to her.”
i stared at her, trying to determine if there was even a shred of sincerity in her words. It didn’t matter. My goal was the SD card, and I wasn’t leaving without it
*Do what you want,” I said flatly, picking up my fork again.
The rest of the evening dragged on like a slow–moving nightmare. Vanessa filled the silence with an endless monologue about designer vacations, luxury handbags, and the latest gossip among her socialite circle, I tuned out most of it, mudding occasionally to keep up appearances.
The only thing keeping me in that chair was the promise of the SD card
Finally, when the clock struck what felt like midnight, I decided I’d had enough. I stood abruptly, startling her mid–sentence.
“The 50 card,” I said, holding out my hand. “Now,”
Vanessa hesitated, het perfectly manicured nails tappling against the table as the peached into her purse, she pulled out a small card, holding it delicately between
“Is this really the only thing you care about?” she asked, her voice laced with mock hurt.
Ididn’t
answer, snatching the card from her hand and pulling out the SD drive I’d brought
ep within me.
As soon as I inserted the SD card into my drive, my heart raced–nut from anticipation, but from the simmering anger I already telt brewing deep i tapped on the screen, pulling up the file directory. Loopty. The screen stared back at me, mocking my patienc
I slowly lifted my gaze to Vanessa, whose mig smile faltered the moment she caught the glint of fury in my eyes. My jaw tightened, and the restraint I’d been clinging to all evening began to unravel.
“Vanessa,” I said, my voice deceptively calm, the edge slurper than a blade. “Do you think this is some kind of joke?”
“What?” ale stammered, blinking rapidly as if trying to felgi innocence“-I gave you the cand!”
13
I stand abruptly, the chali screeching against the floor as I towered over her. “Tho you take me for a fool?” I demanded, each word clipped, my tone faced with
iter lips paited, but no sound came out. She reached up instinctively to clutch the neckline of her dress, her confidence evaporating
I didn’t give her the chance to answer. In a flash, I grabbed her by the neck—not enough to hurt her, but enough to remind her of the waming I’d issued earlier. Her evewwidened in panic, and sbe let out a strangled gasps.
“What did tell you would happen,” I said thumighgrütinhteeth, “If you tried to play me?”
E in a dangerous whisper, “Where Is The Cant?
Het hands flailed, clawing at my wrist, but I didn’t budge, fustead, leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a
cin uwe bag!” she choked out, her voice trembling with tear. “Tswear!”
I released her, stepping back as she coughed and scrambled to collect herself. Despite my anger, there was a grims satisfaction in watching her squirm, her usual (attogance replaced by genuine tetivi.
Without waiting for her to hand it over, I grabbed her bag from the chaft beside her and Upped itscontents onto the talile. A cluttered mess of makeup, perfume, and designer trinkets spilled out, but my focus was immediately demes to a sunali, sleckbox.
1 picked it up, flipping it open to reveal another Seand nestled inside. My jaw clenched as i glared at Vanessa. “You thought this would be funny?” I mapped, holding the card up to her face.
She shook her head frantically, her lips trembling. “I—1 just forgot it was there! I swear, Dominie!”
Ignoring her excuses, 1 inserted the card into the drive and accessed the files. This time, the directory populated with folders and videos. I scrolled through, quickly continwing the contents. There it was—data from Kalna’s phone, including the video evidence she needed.
Beliet washed over me momentarily, but it did nothing to cool my anger. I used to Vanessa, placing af het with disdain.
“You’re pathetic,” I said, my yoke low bat venomous. “You thought you could manipulate me into forgetting who you are. But let me remind you–Isee through everylic, every act, every faletear“.
Her month opened as it to respond, but no words come. She looked smaller now, her usual bravado completely stripped away.
1 stepped closes, leaning down so that our faces were inches apart. “Let this be the last time you try to toy with me, Vanessa. Next time, there won’t be warnings.”
Without another glance, 1 pocketed the SD card and tumed on my heel. As I reached the door, I paused, looking back over my shoulder.
“oh, and by the wan,” I said with a samisk, “I’m a happily married man. My wife just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.”
The shock on her face was priceless, though it did little to improve my mood, I didn’t wait to see her reaction play out. Instead, 1 walked out of the restaurant, leaving her stunned and speechless, the cool night air hitting my face as left her and her schemes behind.
When I got home, I handed the SD card to Ratna, dropping it into her outstretched palm.
“Never do that again,” said, my tone sharp.
She looked at me, probably ready to ask how it went, but before she could speak, herphone! buzzed. At the same time, my own phone vibrated in my pocket.
She glanced at her screen, muttering under her breath, “Speak of the devil.”
Lirowned and pulled out my phone, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the name on the screen. It was my doctor filemd.
Stepping away from the conurbation, I answered the call.
“Dominic,” the doctor’s voice was calm but urgent. “Liana’s awake.”
The relief that coursed though he was indescribable. My laces nearly buckded as I leaned against the wall, my chest heaving
“He’sawake?” I repeated, needing to hear it again.
Il need to run a few tests, but lor’s stable for now.”
“Yes,” the doctor contioned. “We’ll
Tears pricked at the comers of my ■, but I quickly blinked them away. “Thank you,” I said, my voler thick with emotion.
Hanging up, I tumed to faina, who was watching me with a mix of curiosity and concer
“Liam’s awake,” I said simply, my voice soft but filled with overwhelming gratitude.
Her eyes widened, and for the first time in a long while, I saw pare, unfiltered relief ontier face.
Without another word, we both moved toward the door, our unspoken understanding guiding us. Liam needed us, and nothing else mattered.
2
25
ALEXANDER
Liam waking up was unexpected–a miracle wrapped in fragile hope Relief and panic tangled in my chest as I grabbed my car keys and bolted. I’d just retired to bed when Dominic’s call came through, his voice urgent but steady. At first, I thought it was about the project, but the moment he said Liam’s name, everything else blued into insignificance,
The drive to the hospital felt endless, my thoughts a mess of guilt and desperation. The Image of Liam’s time frame, hooked up to machines, flashed in my mind, followed by the sound of his voice–a voice I hadn’t heard in years. My hands gripped the wheel tightly, knuckles white. How did we get here? How did I let it get this car?
When I amved, I sprinted through the sterile halls, ignoring the curious glances from nurses and visitors. My breath caught when I entered Liam’s room. There, by his bedside, was Raina, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body. She looked so small, so broken, clutching Liam’s hand as if it were her lifeline
My heart clenched painfully. This was my ta
And then I saw Lam
was my fault. All of it.
The boy was frail, his pale skin a stark contrast to the colorful blanket draped over him. His eyes fluttered open, and when they landed on me, they lit up with recognition
“Dad,” he croaked, his voice weak but filled with so much love it shattered me.
froze, my legs rooted to the spot. Liam reached out a trembling hand, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for being a bad child.”
I felt my lungs collapse. My chest tightened painfully as his words echoed in my head had child? How could he ever think that?
I moved instinctively, crossing the room in a few long strides and kneeling by his bedside. My hands hovered over him, unsure of how to touch him without breaking him. “No, Liam,” 1 choked out, my voice barely audible. “You’ve never been bad. Never.”
He smiled weakly, but his eyelids drooped, exhaustion pulling at him. Before I could say more, the doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand, his expression serious yet hopeful.
“As soon as Liam was brought in, we began treatments to address his condition,” the doctor explained. “He’s been given doses of erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production, which has helped stabilize him. However, this is only the beginning”
Raina stood, wiping her tears hastily as she focused on the doctor’s words. I watched her, wanting to reach out but holding myself back She deserved her space.
The doctor continued, “Liam will need ongoing observation and care. Physically, we’ve made progress, but the psychological effects of prolonged illness and isolation will require attention. He’ll need therapy, support, and time to recover fully.”
Raina nodded, her voice steady despite the lingering tremer. “Do whatever it takes. Just make my son better”
Curson, I thought silently, my chest tightening at the word. He wasn’t just hers; he was ours
Tumed backto Liam, who was staring at me with wide eyes, as though afraid I’d disappear if he blinked. I wanted to reassure him, to promise that I’d never leave again, but the doctor interjected.
For now, Liam needs test, he said gently. “Too much stimulation could overwhelm him.”
I swallowed hard, nodding. Leaning in, I brushed a hand lightly over Liam’s hair. “We’ll be right here, buddy,” I whispered. “Always.”
As we left Liar’s room, the weight of everything pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket. My son our son had woken up, and the teller was
Inmeasurable. Yet the reality of the situation was undeniable: this wasn’t over Liam’s frailty, the doctor’s warnings, Raina’s tears–it was all a stark reminder of how much damage had already been done.
When I tumed to look at Raina, she was with Dominic, her face buried against his chest. Her shoulders trembled as silent sobs wracked her body. The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. I wanted to comfort her, to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay, but that wasn’t my place anymore.
Thesitated for a moment before walking toward them. My voice was low, cautious. “Raina, can we tall?”
Dominic’s head snapped up, his expression cold and unyielding. “Leave her alone, Alex “His voice carried a sharp edge, one that made it clear he wasn’t in the mood to compromise
1clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to argue. For all my laws, I could see when moment wasn’t mine to take. Haina didn’t even glance at me, her locus entirely
Dominic, who guided her away with a protective arm around her.
I watched them go, feeling like an intruder in a world that used to be mine. The ache bumy chest grew heater with every step they took. Yet amidst the pain, there was something else–a flicker of determination
Liam waking up now, of all times, couldn’t be a coincidence. It was a sign, a moment meant to force me to confront everything I’d buried under years of anger, pride, and regard. I needed to tell Raina the truth–that we were still married
But how?
I could already predict her reaction. She’d demand a divorce the second she found out, and with the odds stacked in her favor, there was no doubt slie’d veins. Still, 1 couldn’t let that stop me. Telling her wasn’t just about the technicality of amarriage centicate; it was about something deeper. It was about fixing what had been
broken
+25 Bonus
Even if she never forgave me. Even if she walked away forever. At least I would have tried.
As I walked out of the hospital, my thoughts were consumed by the enormity of what I needed to do. How would approach her? What could possibly say to make ber believe I was genuine?
The drive home was a bluc. By the time I reached my study, the determination buming in my chest had solidified into a plan. I went to my safe, my fingers trembling slightly as I unlocked it. The divorce papers were bunted at the bottom, where I’d shoved them years ago, hoping I’d never have to see them again.
Pulling them out, I flipped through the pages until I found the signatures. Mine was neat and precise, but Raina’s…hers had a faint smudge trailing through the
Ink Atearstain
The memory of that day came flooding back, vivid and unrelenting. She’d been so quiet, her hands trembling as she signed the papers. I’d been too angry, too stubborn to notice how much it was costing her. And now, years later, that smudge was a reminder of just how much I’d falled her.
As I stared at the divorce papers in my hands, a single thought consumed me–Tomorrow, I told myself clemly, a lump forming in my throat. Tomorrow, I’ll tell hereverything
Even if she didn’t want to hear it. Even if she shut me out before I could explain. I had to do it.
I didn’t care if it was selfish Filing the papers and granting her the divorce would have been the right thing to do, the noble thing. But now that I knew the truth- that she never cheated–I couldn’t bring myself to let go. I couldn’t walk away without at least trying to make things right.
wasn’t just refusing to lose her. I refused to be away from her and our lid.
The realization slammed into me like a freight train. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t move
Tuck |
I had two lids.
Two little lives I’d failed in more ways than I could count.
Ava. The name tasted foreign on my tongor, and guilt clawed at my chest. I barely knew her. I’d missed everything – her first steps, her first words, the sound of her laughter. She didn’t know me, and I sure as hell didn’t know ber
The weight of my mistakes was suffocating. I’d been so caught up in my own anger and pride, so blinded by the lies fed to me, could never get back
But maybe –– just maybe it wasn’t too late.
that I’d robbed myself of years 1
I needed to know her I needed to be her father, not
not just in name but in action. I’d missed so much already, but I wasn’t going to miss another second it could help
I slammed the safe shut, my resolve hardening Tomorrow, I’d tell Rains the truth. I’d face the consequences, whatever they might be
And then, somehow, I’d find a way to be a part of both Liam and Ava’s lives.
sleep didn’t come. How could it? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw
I went to bed that night, my mind racing with memories of the past and fears for the future. S Raina’s tear–streaked face, Liam’s trail body, and a little girl I hadn’t even met yet.
Tomorrow. It all started tomorrow.
By the time the sun rose, I was no closer to sleep, but my resolve was stronger than ever, I’d fix this. I had to.
A messagepinged on my plate, breaking through my thoughts. It was from my assistant, reminding me of a meeting with the project board. For a moment, I considered canceling, but then remember–Raina would be there.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Seeing her was enough motivation to drag myself out of bed.
I showered and dressed quickly, eager to leave before my mother woke up. But as Lreached the door, Vanessa stepped into my path.
