ATHENA

"Mummy you just have toe with Daddy. My friends willugh at me!" Rayen holds onto my hand as he pouts.

I sigh as I lift him in my arms and shower his cute face with kisses.

"Baby, Daddy will be busy." I lie.

But he shakes his head.

"No he won''t. Daddy is never too busy for me. Hees 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 wing at my chest.

If only he understood howplicated things really were between me and Alex.

But how do I exin that to a three-year-old who still sees the world in ck and white?

"Sweetheart," I 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 does me in.

"You don''t love Daddy anymore? Is that why you won''t let us stay together?" he asks quietly.

My heart stops.

I force a smile, even as my vision blurs for a second. "No that''s not it."

"I wish I could show my friends I have a mummy. Theyugh 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.

I 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 toe on the camping trip. And I want to go. He said his mummy told him my mummy was in prison. When I said it wasn''t true, no one believed me!"

My 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?

I 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. I kept my distance to avoid questions, but I haven''t solved anything!

I press a kiss to Rayen''s forehead, holding him as if I 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 toe with you, okay?" I say softly, but firmly. "You''re not going to that trip without your mummy. I''ll be there. I 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 I smile as I wipe his cheeks.

He looks at me, his green eyes holding mine, "Don''t worry, mummy, I didn''t let them see me cry. I''m pretty strong like Daddy!"

Iugh.

"Yes you are. Nowe on, strong guy,e help me in the kitchen!"

"Do I have to? I really don''t like the kitchen!" Heins, making me halt with my arms crossed.

"How will you survive on your own if I 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

I hold back augh.

But it''s short-lived because the memories fromst weeke rushing back like a

tide I can''t hold back.

The way Alex found me during my panic attack.

The way his arms wrapped around

me without hesitation, grounding me when Couldn''t breathe, when the

world blurred and my chest felt

t felt like it was caving in.  s

He held me like I was fragile.

And in that moment, for a heartbeat, I forgot everything else.

I forgot the pain.

The betrayal.

The lies.

I forgot how he shattered me.

It was so wrong.

But God, it felt so right.

Like some twisted part of my soul still recognized him. Still reached for him in the

dark. Still wanted him.

And that''s the problem.

Because I know better.

I know how easy it is to fall for Alex, into his arms, his promises, the way he looks

at me like I''m the only one he has eyes for.

If I said it didn''t affect me. I''d be lying to myself.

But I can''t go back.

He may have saved mest week...

But he''s also one of the reasons I needed saving in the first ce.

My phone vibrates, making me turn to face Rayen, "Get started on your

homework. I''ll prepare dinner."

"Okay mummy!"

Before I can check the message, the doorbell rings, making me ce the phone

back as I walk to the door.

Who could it be?

My eyes widen as I open the door and standing before me is Alex. His eyes look panicked as he searches. me like I had been taken ?r something.  sfn70f0 Discover more novels at Find~Novel/fn70f0

"Are you okay?" He asks in a rushed tone.

I frown at him,

"What are you doing here?"