Chapter 4
“No, Jasper. No, it’s not like that.”
1 shook my head, trying hard to keep my son from falling apart, desperately denying the truth.]
I wanted to tell him that his dad still had one more chance]
That he didn’t need to give up hope just yet.]
But instead, he squeezed my hand, leaned into me, and said.[]
“Mom, let’s go, I don’t want to give him another chance.”
I looked up, stunned, only to see the faint redness around his eyes.[]
My boy–so sweet, so mature for his age.]
All he ever wanted was just a little bit of love from his father.[]
Just a little. That’s all
a
At first, he thought Declan didn’t want him calling him “Dad” because he wasn’t doing well in school.]
So he pushed himself, worked harder than ever, until he had straight A’s across the board.]
Even when he had a fever, he still insisted on going to class.
But Declan still refused to let him call him Dad.]
Later, he thought maybe it was because of his hearing–that Declan didn’t like that he couldn’t hear well.]
So no matter how painful the surgeries and treatments were, he gritted his teeth and let me take him to every single appointment.[]
And now, with his hearing almost fully recovered…]
Declan still hadn’t smiled at him.]
Instead, he whispered another child’s name right next to his ear.]
The pain in my chest was suffocating.
I closed my eyes and nodded.]
“Okay.”
Declan, this time, we’re done with you–for good.]
We started packing[]
Everything Declan ever gave us–we left it all behind in that house
And then, my boy smiled again
That bright, radiant smile
Like a little gentleman, he helped me carry our bags downstairs!]
The day of our flight?[]
It just so happened to be the same day Declan was going to Elodie’s son’s field day
The night before, he was afraid we’d crash their perfect little family moment]
So he came by!]
For once, he wasn’t cold
He brought gifts. Tried to hug his son []
Chapter 4
But standing in front of the father he used to dream about hugging…]
My son took a step back.[]
He looked up and said,]
“Thanks, Mr. Declan. You can just leave it on the coffee table.“]
And when Declan heard that-
The way his face fell, that panic in his eyes-
He turned to me in disbelief.[]
“What… what did Jasper just call me?”
I gave him a smile, one laced with bitter irony.
“Isn’t that what you always wanted, Mr. Declan?“]
Eight years of a secret marriage.
Eight years where he never once acknowledged me as his wife.[]
And not once did he let our son call him “Dad.“[]
The only difference now?
Back then, it was him making our son call him “Uncle.‘”
le.“]
Now, it’s our son drawing that line himself.
Declan looked at me, his eyes flickering.
“This is… this is because of the field day, isn’t it?“[]
I can talk to Jasper. I can explain.“[]
I raised an eyebrow.
“And what about Elodie? Her son?”
“You planning on explaining it to them too?”
Only then did it seem to hit him.]
He let go of my hand.
I let out a quiet laugh, picked up Jasper’s hand, and turned to leave.[]
That’s when he finally noticed the packed suitcases by the door.
“You guys taking a trip or something?” he asked.
“Didn’t realize you needed so much stuff just for a vacation.”
I gave him a calm, steady smile
“Yeah. When you’ve got a kid, you always end up with a ton of bags.”
“You wouldn’t know, though. You’ve never actually traveled with him.”
Just a few words.
But they said everything.
All those years of absence, of silence[]
His face twisted into something like guilt. Maybe even regret.]
He reached out, stopping us before we went upstairs.]
Chapter 4
“When’s your flight? I’ll drive you.“[]
“Tomorrow,” I said plainly.
Because I knew.
He wouldn’t show.
Declan blinked.
Didn’t say anything for a second.[]
Then finally: “Well… just be careful, okay? Traveling alone with a kid…“[]
That flicker of concern in his eyes?
It didn’t matter anymore.
The next morning, I took Jasper to the airport.[].
We were about to check our bags when heard someone calling behind us.
“Serena! Jasper!“]
Declan came running in, all smiles, completely out of breath.
“Jasper! Let’s go to Disney World in Orlando together!“]
“Wouldn’t that be fun? Daddy’s coming too!”
It was the first time he ever called himself Jasper’s dad.[]
But my son?
He glanced at the suitcase in Declan’s hand, then shook his head.
Firm. Unshaken.
“No thanks, Mr. Declan.”
“Mom and I are going to New Zealand to find my real dad.“]
“So please… just leave us alone,”
