Chapter 4

I spotted him the moment we walked into the classroom.

Giovanni Romano — my husband, my son’s father — sitting by the window like he belonged there.

Next to him was a small boy I didn’t recognize.

For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

Leo’s class had only been open for half a year. Giovanni didn’t even know which grade he was in.

Before I could stop him, Leo’s face lit up.

He ran forward, his little backpack bouncing with every step.

“Dad, you—”

Giovanni’s eyes snapped toward him. Cold. Cautious.

“What did you just call me?”

The color drained from Leo’s face.

He hesitated, then whispered the word that broke me a little more each time.

“Uncle. Sorry, Uncle Gio. I think you’re sitting in my seat.”

Giovanni looked away. “No. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Before Leo could ask what he meant, another voice cut through the chatter.

“Move! That’s my dad.”

A little boy darted between them, grabbing Giovanni’s hand like he’d done it a thousand times.

My instinct kicked in. I stepped forward, shielding Leo behind me.

Giovanni stood too — but when Elena Duval appeared in the doorway with two drinks, he froze.

He pulled his hand back.

“She’s right,” he said stiffly. “The kid didn’t mean any harm.”

Leo stared up at him, confusion clouding his big brown eyes.

The same look he had every time he tried to understand why love worked differently for him.

Elena smiled when she saw me.

“Jo? You’re here too?” Her tone was light, polite. “I didn’t know your son went to this school.”

Then, with a perfect tilt of her head: “Where’s his father? Traveling again?”

Something in my chest twisted.Giovanni didn’t meet my eyes.

“Friends’ kid,” he murmured — too quickly, too softly.

Right. The “friend” whose photo had been captioned future best dad.

Something inside me went very still.

Leo must’ve felt it.

He stepped forward, voice trembling.

“My dad’s not here. He’s really busy. I don’t want to bother him.”

The words hit harder than any slap.

Giovanni’s expression flickered — shock, maybe guilt — but it was gone before I could name it.

Elena’s boy still clung to his sleeve.

Leo smiled anyway, the same brave little smile he always used to hide the hurt.

“Uncle Gio, I’ll go with Mom now.”

I couldn’t speak. My throat was raw with everything I wanted to say and never could.

When I turned to leave, Giovanni reached out — reflexively, like his body moved before his mind caught up.

His fingers brushed my wrist.

For a heartbeat, we just stood there.

Then I smiled — a small, tired smile.

“Let him go, Mr. Romano,” I whispered. “He’s not your responsibility.”

And I walked away, holding Leo’s hand, without looking back.

That was the third chance.

The last one.

I didn’t even turn around.

He’d already lost us long before tonight.