Chapter 3
Declan came home the next day around noon. []
He walked in holding a cake, looking unusually apologetic. []
“Sorry, things were crazy yesterday.“]
“I couldn’t make it to pick up Jasper. My bad.” []
Yeah, he owed me that,
But I wasn’t about to let him off the hook.
The damage was done. []
No amount of cake could cover it up. [
I took the box from him in silence. [
To my surprise, it really was Jasper’s favorite-[]
the little bear cake he always asked for.
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We’d been married eight years, and Declan had never once remembered what our kid liked. []
Last birthday? I bought the cake, the presents, all of it. []
Declan just showed up.
Even the gift he handed Jasper was a leftover from what Elodie had gotten for her own kid. []
Now, looking at the cake in my hands,
I had a bad feeling creeping in. []
But Jasper lit up.
He ran over and hugged Declan, beaming.
“Thanks, mister!”
1 saw his lips move.
He wanted to say “Dad“]
But he stopped himself.
He knew better.
He knew even the smallest misstep might push Declan away again. []
So he played it safe.[]
And that quiet, cautious wisdom in my little boy nearly broke me.
I opened my mouth to say something to Dedan-
but he pulled me aside before I could.
Like he had something serious to say.
0
“I heard from Elodie that Jasper’s school is doing a parent kid field day.“[]
“She’s new in town, doesn’t know anyone, no family around“]
“I was thinking I’d go with her and her son.” []
My whole body went cold.
Chapter 3
I glanced over at Jasper, still happy on the couch, digging into his cake.
Didn’t say a word. ]
Declan seemed to notice my shift.
He hesitated, then added,
“You can use the card, whatever you want.“[]
“Take Jasper on a trip–out of the country, even.”
“So he doesn’t have to see me with someone else’s kid. Might upset him.”
He said it like it was no big deal. []
But he already knew Elodie’s son was in Jasper’s class.
He knew Jasper would see them together. []
He knew it would hurt.
And he still went through with it. []
He’d rather I lie to our son-
just so he could play house with Elodie and her kid.
I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug into my palms.
The man I had once built a life with felt like a total stranger.
He had no idea.
He had just used up his last chance.
“Got it,” I said.
n.“]
“I’ll start packing. We’ll be gone soon.’
“You won’t have to worry about us.”
It didn’t matter anymore.
Leaving now or later made no difference.
He looked caught off guard by how fast I agreed. []
“I’ll make it up to you guys.” ”
I didn’t even look at him,
Just stood there in silence.
After Declan left, I sat for a long time, thinking.
Eventually, I turned to Jasper, keeping my voice light. []
“Sweetheart, your dad might not make it to the field day this weekend.“[]
“But I was thinking what if we go to Disney instead?”
The excitement that had been on his face froze.
He blinked, confused.
“But why? If Daddy’s not going, you can still come with me.”
“Why do we have to go to Disney?”
fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, avoiding his eyes.
|—
Chapter 3
“Because… I don’t want the other kids laughing at you.“[]
“For not having a dad there.”
Jasper was quiet for a second.
Then he wrapped his little arms around me.
His voice calm, like he was the one comforting me-
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“It’s okay, Mommy. I’m used to it.” []
“You don’t have to be sad anymore.“[
I froze.
Then the tears came.
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Fast, heavy, unstoppable.
How was I supposed to tell him the truth?
That his dad didn’t want to be with him? ||
That he’d rather play family with someone else’s child than his own?
I couldn’t.
I wouldn’t.
So I swallowed the bitterness,
just like I always did.
I kissed his forehead, wiped my tears where he couldn’t see them.
That’s what moms do-
we lie through our pain,
just to shield our kids.
I knelt down, took his little hand in mine, forced a smile.
“Jasper…”
But before I could say anything else,
he looked up at me and asked-
“Mommy… does Daddy not want us anymore?”
