TimeNovelATHENA
"Mummy you just have to cwith Daddy. My friends will laugh at me!" Rayen holds onto my hand as he
pouts.
| sigh as | lift him in my arms and shower his cute face with kisses.
"Baby, Daddy will be busy." | lie.
But he shakes his head.
"No he won't. Daddy is never too busy for me. He comes to every school event. But can't you join him this year?"
His eyes widen as he cups my cheeks in his tiny hands. "Please, Mummy? Just this once?"
I hug him tighter, burying my face in his soft curls to hide the guilt clawing at my chest.
If only he understood how complicated things really were betweenand Alex.
But how do | explain that to a three-year-old who still sees the world in black and white?
"Sweetheart," | whisper, brushing his hair back. "Mummy just... can't."
His face falls. The pout returns, deeper this time, but it's the sadness in his eyes that doesin.
"You don't love Daddy anymore? Is that why you won't let us stay together?" he asks quietly.
My heart stops.
| force a smile, even as my vision blurs for a second. "No that's not it."
"I wish | could show my friends | have a mummy. They laugh at me, saying, Aunt Leah is my Mummy, and she's
in prison."
A sharp pain shoots through my chest as anger seethes through me.
| stroke his hair, my arms tightening around him instinctively.
"Who told you that?”
He sniffles. "Liam said it. He said kids without real mummies are not allowed to con the camping trip. And |
want to go. He said his mummy told him my mummy was in prison. When | said it wasn't true, no one believed
me!"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMy jaw clenches so tight it hurts. Blood roars in my ears, drowning out every rational thought.
What kind of mother teaches her child to say something like that?
To mock another child, to mock my son for something he doesn't even understand?
| feel rage rise in my throat like bile. Not just at Liam's mother but at myself.
For letting this happen.
For not being there sooner. For thinking distance was the answer when all it did was make him feel alone. | kept
my distance to avoid questions, but | haven't solved anything!
| press a kiss to Rayen's forehead, holding him as if | could shield him from every cruel word the world might
throw at him.
"Baby, look at me."
He pulls back slightly, his eyes red and his bottom lip trembling.
"I'm going to cwith you, okay?" | say softly, but firmly. "You're not going to that trip without your mummy. I'll
be there. | promise."
"Really?" His eyes widen with hope, so pure and sweet it guts me.
I nod. "Yes, sweetheart. And if anyone says something mean again, you tell them the truth, that your mummy is
a doctor, not a prisoner. And if that doesn't shut them up, I will."
He giggles through his sniffles, and | smile as | wipe his cheeks.
He looks at me, his green eyes holding mine, "Don't worry, mummy, | didn't let them seecry. I'm pretty
strong like Daddy!"
| laugh.
"Yes you are. Now con, strong guy, chelpin the kitchen!"
"Do | have to? | really don't like the kitchen!" He complains, makinghalt with my arms crossed.
"How will you survive on your own if | don't teach you this basic skill?"
He smiles t still have plenty of time. But Daddy doesn't. He almost burnt the kitchen when he tried to make. me
an egg why don't you teach him first?" s
| hold back a laugh.
But it's short-lived because the memories from last week crushing back like a
tide I can't hold back.
The way Alex foundduring my panic attack.
The way his arms wrapped around
world blurred and my chest felt
t felt like it was caving in. s
He heldlike | was fragile.
And in that moment, for a heartbeat, | forgot everything else.
| forgot the pain.
The betrayal.
The lies.
| forgot how he shattered me.
It was so wrong.
But God, it felt so right.
Like stwisted part of my soul still recognized him. Still reached for him in the
dark. still wanted him.
And that's the problem.
Because | know better.
| know how easy it is to fall for Alex, into his arms, his promises, the way he looks
atlike I'm the only one he has eyes for.
If | said it didn't affect me. I'd be lying to myself.
But | can't go back.
He may have savedlast week...
But he's also one of the reasons | needed saving in the first place.
My phone vibrates, makingturn to face Rayen, "Get started on your
homework. I'll prepare dinner."
"Okay mummy!"
Before | can check the message, the doorbell rings, makingplace the phone
back as | walk to the door.
Who could it be?
My eyes widen as | open the door and standing beforeis Alex. His eyes look panicked as he searches.like
| had been taken 6r something. s
"Are you okay?" He asks in a rushed tone.
I frown at him,
"What are you doing here?"
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