Chapter 103

Lila’s POV

I woke up earlier than usual the next day, long before the usual chatter of the neighborhood began, and for once, the heaviness that clung to me wasn’t as sharp. Maybe it was the quiet of this place, or maybe it was the lingering warmth of last night, helping my mom cook, the laughter we shared over dinner but when I swung my legs off the bed, I didn’t feel like hiding under the covers again.

I dressed slowly, tugging on a plain pair of jeans that hugged a little tighter than they once did. My reflection in the mirror confirmed what I already knew: the bump was becoming harder to ignore. I slipped a loose shirt over myself and then layered a big cardigan across my shoulders. It fell long, hiding the swell well enough that, at least for now, no one would immediately notice.

By the time I stepped into the living room, both my parents were already seated with their morning cups of coffee. The rich smell drifted through the air, mixing with the faint scent of toasted bread.

My mom’s eyes widened as soon as she saw me. “Well, don’t you look ready for the day?”

My dad lowered his paper, peering at me with the same mix of curiosity and amusement. “You’re dressed early. Going anywhere, or should we be worried?”

I smiled, tugging at the edge of my cardigan. “I was hoping to follow Mom to the shop today, to help out a little.”

The grin that spread across my mother’s face was instant, warm enough to soften every edge in me. “You want to come with me?” she asked, like she couldn’t quite believe it.

“Yes,” I said, nodding. “I don’t want to just sit around the house all day. I want to keep my hands busy.”

My father chuckled, shaking his head. “Our favorite child finally wants to work again. Well, good news.”

I rolled my eyes, but the corners of my lips twitched upward. “Favorite child jokes are only funny because I’m your only child, Dad. If you had two, you would have to pick sides.”

He laughed louder at that, folding his paper completely. “And we would still pick you.”

Mom brushed her hand against my arm, her smile still shining. “I would love to have you at the shop with me, baby. It will be nice to have company.”

We had a quick breakfast together, toast, eggs, and fruit while talking about little things like the weather, how business had been, even the new family that moved into the old farmhouse down the road. It was so normal, so ordinary, that for a moment I forgot about the chaos I had left behind in the city.

When it was time to leave, I slipped into my cardigan once more, tugging it close around my body as we stepped outside. The air was crisp, carrying the faint smell of dew and freshly turned earth. The gravel crunched under our shoes as we made our way to the car.

By the time we pulled up in front of the shop, the streets had begun to stir with life. A couple of children darted past with backpacks, likely heading to a neighbor’s house before school. A man cycled slowly down the road, balancing a basket full of vegetables. Everything was familiar yet touched with the charm of a life I hadn’t lived in years.

The shop looked exactly how I remembered it, modest, painted in the same colour with peeling edges, the wide windows showcasing shelves of goods neatly stacked. As Mom unlocked the door and swung it open, the familiar chime of the bell above jingled, tugging at a piece of my memory I didn’t even realize I had stored away.

Inside, the shelves were lined with everything from canned goods to little jars of honey, the kind of store where you could find both necessities and comfort.

It didn’t take long for the first customers to arrive.

“Lila?” a woman gasped as she entered, clutching a bag to her chest. She was older now, but her eyes sparked with recognition. “Oh my goodness, it really is you. When did you get back?”

I smiled, feeling a little shy under the sudden attention. “Just a few days ago. I’ve been with my parents since I got back.”

She beamed, clasping her hands together. “It’s so good to see you again. You have grown into such a fine young woman.”

We exchanged pleasantries, her voice full of genuine warmth before she collected her items and left, still shaking her head in disbelief at my presence.

It was like that with the next few customers too, surprised greetings, little snippets of nostalgia, questions about the city. Each exchange reminded me of just how quickly word would spread that I was back. In a small town like this, no one stayed unnoticed for long.

I was restocking a shelf when the bell above the door chimed again.

“Good morning,” a familiar voice said.

I turned, and there he was. Daniel.

He stood taller than I remembered, his frame filling the doorway, but it wasn’t him who caught my eye first. It was the little boy holding his hand.

The boy looked about three or four, his hair a soft brown that curled slightly at the edges, his eyes wide and curious as they landed on everything in the shop. He clutched a small toy car in his free hand, his grip tight as though it was his most prized possession.

“Daniel,” my mom greeted warmly, her whole face lighting up as she crouched down to the little boy’s level. “And my sweet boy, Ethan. How are you today, darling?”

Ethan, such a beautiful name for a handsome boy.

Ethan’s face broke into a grin as she reached into the candy jar she kept behind the counter. It was stocked, but watching her now, I realized it wasn’t just for any child, it was for him.

“Thank you, Grandma Maggie.” Ethan chirped as she placed a piece of candy into his palm.

The words tugged at something in me. Grandma Maggie. First of all he shortened my mom's name from Margaret to Maggie and then the fact that he had his own grandmother once, but now it was my mom stepping into that space, even in the smallest way. The love in her eyes as she looked at him made my chest ache in a way I couldn’t explain.

I shifted my gaze to Daniel. He caught my eyes and gave a small smile. “Lila. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I tucked my cardigan tighter around me, willing the sudden nerves away. “I decided to come help out at the shop today.”

“That’s good,” he said, nodding. “Are you enjoying your time back?”

“Yes, actually,” I admitted. “It feels… different. Calmer than I remembered.”

His smile deepened. “That’s the town for you. Not much changes, except the paint on the houses.”

I laughed softly, remembering my walk from yesterday. “True.”

Then his expression turned slightly curious. “So… are you back for good this time?”

The question caught me off guard. My lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Back for good. I hadn’t even asked myself that yet.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “For now, I’m here. That’s all I can say.”

He nodded slowly, as if he understood. “Fair enough.”

Ethan had wandered back to my mom by then, showing her his toy car and babbling excitedly about how fast it could go. She listened with full attention, crouched down again like he was the most important storyteller in the world. The sight softened something in me, even as it made me wonder what it must have cost Daniel to raise this boy alone.

Daniel paid for his things, slipping the bag into his hand while gently coaxing Ethan away from my mom’s candy stash. “Say goodbye,” he urged.

“Bye!” Ethan chirped, waving at my mom, then at me. His eyes lingered curiously on me, his smile shy but bright.

“Bye, Ethan,” I said, returning his wave with a small one of my own.

And just like that, they were gone, the bell above the door chiming as it closed behind them.

I stood by the counter, staring at the door long after it shut. His question still echoed in my head.

Whether I was back for good.

The truth was, I didn’t know if I could ever go back to the city, not after everything that happened, not with Drew’s mistrust weighing so heavily on me. But could I really imagine staying here? In this small town, in this quiet life, where my parents could shield me, where the people who remembered me as a child still looked at me with soft eyes?

I wrapped my cardigan tighter around myself, my hand unconsciously drifting to the swell of my stomach. The baby shifted slightly, a reminder that I wasn’t just choosing for myself anymore.

The words lingered like a shadow, and I realized I had no answer.