Chapter 19
Emily’s POV
I sat down on the edge of the bed, the new phone Keith had given me resting in my hand. The weight of it felt disproportionate to its size, as if it carried with it all the complexities of our fractured relationship.
He had even gone so far as to change the SIM card for me, making. it easier for me to stay connected with Zane. It was a thoughtful gesture, one that left me feeling conflicted. I didn’t want to rely on him for anything, yet here I was, holding onto this phone like it was a lifeline.
I pulled the hoodie over my head, carefully adjusting it to cover the bandages that wrapped around my upper body. The last thing I wanted was for Zane to see them and start asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer. I initiated the video call, and within seconds, his cheerful face filled the screen. My heart lifted at the sight of him, his wide grin chasing away the darkness that had settled around me.
“Mommy! There you are!” Zane’s voice was filled with excitement. “I’ve been waiting for you to call. Guess what? I had the best time at the beach today! We built the biggest sandcastle, and Grandpa even helped me dig a moat around it.”
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I smiled, trying to push aside the pain that gnawed at me. “That sounds amazing, sweetheart. I wish I could have been there to see
it.”
“I took a video!” Zane exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with pride. “I‘ m going to send it to you so you can watch it.”
“That would be great, Zane. I can’t wait to see it.” I adjusted my hoodie again, hoping he wouldn’t notice anything unusual.
Zane’s expression suddenly became more serious, and his brow furrowed. “Mom, why are you wearing a hoodie inside? Are you cold?”
I hesitated for a split second before nodding. “Yes, honey, it’s just a bit chilly here today. But I’m fine, don’t worry.”
He seemed to accept my explanation, but I could tell that something was still bothering him. “Mom, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Zane. You can ask me anything.”
Zane bit his lip, clearly debating whether or not to continue. “Yesterday, I saw Lily holding Dad’s hand during our video call. Why was she at Dad’s house? Are they living together now?”
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. Of course, Lily wouldn‘
t waste any time flaunting their relationship in front of Zane. My
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hands clenched into fists, hidden from Zane’s view, as I tried to keep my voice steady. “Zane, I think you should ask your dad about that. He’s the one who can explain it to you.”
“But why can’t you tell me?” Zane’s voice was tinged with confusion and hurt. “I want you and Dad to get back together. Don‘ t you love him anymore?”
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. How was I supposed to explain the complexities of adult relationships to a child who just wanted his family back together? “Zane, sometimes love isn’t enough to keep people together. You will learn it later.”
His small face crumpled slightly, and I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. “But I don’t want things to be like this. I want us to be a family again.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered, my own heart breaking at his words. “I wish things could be different too. But no matter what happens between your dad and me, we both love you very much. That will never change.”
Zane nodded, but I could tell he was still struggling to understand. His eyes wandered to the background, where Amanda was moving around, tidying up. “Who’s that, Mom? Is she helping you with something?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Amanda and then back at Zane. “Oh, that’s Amanda. She’s here to help out with the housework for a little while.”
Chapter 19
Zane tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. “But you never needed help before, Mom. You used to do everything by yourself, like a supermom.”
A sad smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I used to hold Zane in one arm and mop the floor with the other. Lily and I are totally different. She’s too spoiled. She can’t even heat milk.
“Yes, I did, didn’t I? But sometimes even supermoms need a little help, especially when they’re not feeling their best.”
He looked at me with a mix of concern and understanding, and I could see the wheels turning in his young mind. “Okay, Mom. But you’ll get better soon, right? So you can be a supermom again?”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised, my voice thick with emotion. “Now, how about you go have some more fun with Grandpa and Grandma? We can talk again tomorrow, and you can tell me all about your adventures.”
“Okay, Mom,” Zane agreed, though there was still a hint of reluctance in his voice. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Zane. More than anything.”
We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call, the screen going dark. I sat there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand, feeling the weight of the lies I had told my son. He deserved so much
Chapter 19
better than this–better than the uncertainty, better than the pain of a broken family.
Just as I was about to set the phone down, there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and a sense of unease settled over me. I took a deep breath and walked to the door, opening it to find Tyler standing on the other side.
“Tyler,” I said, my voice betraying my surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Tyler looked nervous, almost as if he was unsure of what to say. “I wanted to check on you. See how you’re doing.”
I didn’t bother to hide my skepticism. “After nine years, you suddenly care about how I’m doing?”
His eyes flickered with guilt, and he ran a hand through his hair. “Emily, I know I’ve made mistakes. We all have. But… can’t we at least try to fix things? For the sake of the family?”
I crossed my arms, my heart hardening against his words. “Family? You, Lily, and Mom are a family. I’ve been on the outside for a long time, Tyler. Emily, your sister, died a long time ago.”
Tyler flinched at my words, and for a moment, he looked like he
nodded, his shoulders sagging in
wanted to argue. But then he i
defeat. “I’m sorry, Emily. I really am.”
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He turned to leave, and I watched him go, feeling a mix of anger and sorrow welling up inside me. When the door finally closed behind him, the tears I had been holding back spilled over, and I couldn’t stop them. I sank to the floor, burying my face in my hands, letting the grief and loneliness wash over me.
