Chapter 67
Emily’s pov
A wolf. I couldn’t help but smile. Of course, he’d choose a wolf. It was like Keith in miniature.
“A wolf, huh? That sounds awesome!” Keith replied, clearly thrilled. “You know, when I was your age, I was always drawing animals too. I was pretty terrible at it, but I bet your wolf is going to look way cooler than anything I could have done.”
Zane laughed, his eyes practically sparkling. “Dad, you should see my drawings! I’m getting really good. Maybe you can come to the school
sometime and see it when it’s done.”
I paused, watching Keith’s reaction closely. The old Keith would’ve probably nodded absently, already distracted by work, but not now. His enthusiasm didn’t falter.
“Oh, I’d love to! You’ve got to promise to show me when it’s finished. I’ll even help you practice if you want.”
His tone was genuine, warm, and Zane lit up even more. I stayed quiet, unsure of how to feel about all of this. Keith–who I’d grown accustomed to as distant and cold–was suddenly so engaged, so present.
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“Yeah, I’ll show you for sure! Maybe I can make one for your office too.” Zane offered excitedly.
Keith ruffled Zane’s hair with a grin. “I’d put it right on my desk. It’ll be the best thing in there.”
I sat silently, my fork resting on the edge of my plate, barely touching the food in front of me. I didn’t love him. I knew that now, I’d accepted it. But something about this new side of him unsettled me. This wasn’t the man I had grown used to over the years. He was different, warmer, more involved. I wasn’t sure how to react, how to feel.
Keith stood up, grabbing his briefcase. “Alright, champ, I’ve got to head to work. But remember, I’m expecting that wolf drawing soon.”
Zane beamed, his excitement infectious. “You got it, Dad!”
I kept watching as Keith leaned down, kissing Zane on the forehead. And for a brief second, his eyes flicked toward me. He hesitated, as if he was debating something. For a split second, I thought he might try to kiss me
too.
I tensed, instinctively taking a small step back, and he seemed to catch the shift in my body language. He didn’t push it, just offered me a small nod before heading toward the door.
“See you both later,” he said over his shoulder.
Keith shot me one last look before he left, and then the front door clicked
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shut.
I kept staring at the plate of pancakes in front of me. Keith had changed, there was no doubt about it. But I couldn’t help but wonder if it was all just an act. Was he trying to win me over for Zane’s sake? Or was it something else?
Either way, I couldn’t let my guard down. Not now. Not when everything was still so fragile.
“Mom, where are we going?” Zane’s voice came from the back seat as I pulled out of the driveway. His curiosity had been growing with every mile we drove, and I could see him fidgeting, eager for an answer.
I hesitated, not sure how to explain the weight of today’s visit. Recently, Vera and Tom–my biological parents–had been reaching out, hoping to build some sort of relationship with me.
I had kept my distance, not ready to let them in completely. But now, as the days passed, I realized it might be time to face them, for Zane’s sake, if nothing else.
“We’re going to meet some important people,” I said vaguely, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. His big eyes stared back at me, filled with curiosity. I hadn’t told him yet that he was about to meet his other set of grandparents.
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As I drove down the street, I noticed some movement next door. New neighbors seemed to be moving in. Boxes were stacked in the yard, and people were coming in and out of the house.
Zane perked up. “Do you think they’ll have kids? I hope they have a little. boy or girl I can play with!”
I smiled softly. “Maybe, Zane. We’ll have to see once they’ve settled in.”
He grew quiet for a few moments, then asked, “Are we going to see Dad today?”
The question caught me off guard, but I shook my head. “No, sweetie. We’re not seeing your dad today.”
He thought for a moment. “Is Dad going to marry Lily?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. The topic of Keith and Lily’s relationship had always been a sore point, even though I tried to shield Zane from most of it. “Maybe,” I said gently. “I don’t really know, Zane.”
His small shoulders slumped, and I could see his eyes start to water. “I don’t want Lily to be my stepmom,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I want you and Dad to be together again.”
The ache in my chest grew as I reached over to squeeze his hand. “I know this is hard for you, Zane, but sometimes, things don’t work out the way we hope. But I promise, everything will be okay. You’ll understand more when you get older.”
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“But I want you and Dad to get married again,” Zane insisted, his tone full of the kind of innocent determination only a child could have. “I always get what I want, right?”
I chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. “You’re very persistent, Zane. But some things are out of our control.”
