JASON’S POV The table was full of sound – plates clinking, Emma humming, Mason asking for more stew – but it felt like I was somewhere else entirely. Ava hadn’t looked at me once since she mentioned Officer Mike. And me? I hadn’t taken a proper bite. “Want more chicken?” Rose asked, halfway rising with the serving spoon. “I’m good, thanks,” I said, though my plate was barely touched. Mason leaned into Ava, whispering something that made her smile for a split second. But even her smile looked tired – like it had to fight its way out. And just as quickly, it faded. I watched her carefully, the way she kept her eyes on her plate, the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the napkin. Something was bothering her. And it wasn’t just me. “Aunt Ava,” Emma said, pointing to her chin, “there’s sauce on your face.” Ava chuckled softly and wiped it. “Thanks, sweetheart.” That voice. The softness in it. She was trying – trying so hard to keep things normal. But underneath, it was a
JASON’S POV “Alright, Emma,” Ava said gently, brushing a curl out of the little girl’s face. “Go upstairs and change. You still have your school uniform on.” Emma leaned back and nodded. “Okay, Aunt! I’ll be fast!” “Do you want Rose to help you change?” she asked her face so gentle and pure. If someone didn’t know better, they might assume Emma was her biological daughter. “No, I can do it myself. It’s easy to take off,” Emma replied. And really, it was easy. She wasn’t wearing a zippered uniform, just one with elastic. Still, I couldn’t help but admire the little girl – so full of confidence and independence for someone her age. She bolted up the stairs with all the energy in the world. Mason turned to Ava. “Can I go with her?” Ava smiled. “Just don’t start playing dress-up and forget to come back down.” “I won’t,” Mason said with a laugh, already taking off after her. And then it was just Ava and me in the hallway. She met my eyes for a second, then looked away
JASON’S POVThe moment Mason said those words— “Will you stay? Sleep here… with Miss Ava”—my heart nearly exploded. I tried to keep a straight face. I really did. But inside, I was screaming. Screaming with joy, relief, hope, everything. He said it so innocently like he didn’t even know what kind of fire he just lit in the room. But maybe he did. Maybe that little boy could see right through me. And knew I badly wanted a chance to spend some alone time with Ava. I glanced at Ava. She looked like a deer caught in headlights – frozen, blinking, unsure. Mason looked between us, confused but hopeful. “Please?” he repeated. Ava rubbed the back of her neck, her fingers tangled in her hair. “Um… that’s not a problem,” she said, her voice a little shaky. Not a problem. That means she said yes. I kept my face calm. I nodded slowly like I was just being supportive. But inside? Inside, I was doing backflips. Finally. A moment. A chance to be close. Not in passing, not in tens
AVA'S POV My heart splintered. Jason’s jaw tightened beside me, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. He didn’t say a word, but his silence screamed. After a few seconds, he replied, “Yes, I do, buddy.” I reached back and gently squeezed Mason’s knee. Since Jason couldn’t – he was driving. “Always. Always, Mason. Your dad loves you, and I do too. Nothing will ever change that.” But hearing myself call Jason his dad still made me feel guilty – like I was lying to an innocent boy, while his real father lay in a vegetative state. Mason didn’t look at me. He just leaned his head against the window, eyes heavy with exhaustion, pain, and a weight no child should carry. Slowly, his eyes drifted shut. By the time we reached the house, he was asleep – peaceful at last. His small chest rose and fell in that soft, steady rhythm only children have after a long cry. Jason parked the car, and we both sat there for a few seconds in silence. I turned to look at Mason in t
AVA’S POV The assistant director motioned for us to sit. Jason and I took the chairs opposite her desk. I kept glancing at Mason – still curled up in the corner chair, his small arms crossed over his chest, lips pushed into a pout. He didn’t look defiant. He looked hurt like a balloon that had slowly deflated. The woman gave us a tired smile. “Thank you both for coming so quickly.” “What exactly happened?” Jason asked, his voice calm but firm. “We only got a rough idea on the phone.” She nodded, folding her hands on the desk. “Mason was outside with the other children during recess. Another boy – Jude – said something about Mason’s mother. According to the teacher, the words were upsetting. Mason pushed him. Jude lost his balance and fell. He hit his head on the pavement.” My chest tightened sharply. “Is he okay? Jude?” She nodded. “Yes, thankfully. He was seen by the nurse and sent home with a mild bump. Nothing serious. But protocol requires we inform both families and do
AVA'S POV I had just settled back at my desk, finally feeling like I could breathe after Kelly left. I opened my laptop and was halfway through replying to an important email when my phone rang. It was Jason. My heart sank a little. I didn’t want to deal with him right now. Not with everything still hanging between us, especially from that night. But I answered anyway. “Hello?” “Ava,” his voice came fast, rushed. “Mason’s school just called. There’s been a situation.” I sat up straighter. “What kind of situation?” “He pushed a classmate hard. The boy got injured – nothing life-threatening, but his teacher said it was serious enough to call both parents.” I blinked, trying to process what I was hearing. “What? I thought… I thought he changed. After everything with Emma…” “I thought so too,” Jason said, his voice tense. “But I’m not far from your office. I was in the area. I’ll swing by now and pick you up. We can go together. Is that fine by you?” For a second, I he