Chapter 17

Eliora's POV

“I said two spoons of sugar, not the entire bag!” Elijah said, frowning into his coffee.

Zoey leaned against the counter, smirking. “You need it. You’ve been walking around like someone who just lost a custody battle with his pillow.”

He rolled his eyes. “At least I sleep.”

“Barely,” she shot back. “You snore like a dying generator.”

I laughed from the dining table, unable to hold it in. “You two are impossible.”

Ezra giggled beside me, swinging his tiny legs. “Uncle Eliji snores?”

Zoey grinned, leaning toward him. “Like a bear.”

“Hey!” Elijah protested, throwing a napkin at her, which only made Ezra laugh harder.

---

The morning started with laughter. Real, easy laughter that filled the house and made it feel like home again. And I wanted to hold on to it a little longer before life reminded me it always had other plans.

I sighed, remembering last night’s phone call about the board meeting. It turned out I couldn't keep ignoring Kian, even if that's what I wanted to. I tapped my fingers continuously on my phone.

Get over it, Eliora. It's just a meeting, what's the worst that can happen?

“Let’s take Ezra to the supermarket. He’s been stuck inside for days.” Zoey’s voice drew me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?”

Ezra’s eyes lit up instantly. “Can we get ice cream?”

“Count me out. I have something to take care of,” Elijah said, giving Ezra an apologetic look, clearly avoiding my eyes.

Zoey squinted her eyes, glancing between Elijah and I, but she didn't say anything.

I smiled at Ezra, brushing his hair back. “Only if you behave.”

He gasped dramatically. “I always behave.”

Zoey and I exchanged a look and burst out laughing.

---

The supermarket was busy—carts rolling, music playing softly from hidden speakers. Ezra sat in the cart, legs dangling, pretending to steer like he was driving a spaceship.

“So are you going to tell me what happened between you and Elijah, or what?” Zoey said.

“What?” I gasped and blinked continuously at her, but she only gave me the dead stare.

I sighed. “Nothing really, Zoey. Just…” I then proceeded to tell her what happened in detail.

“You what?” She yelled.

“Would you keep it down? People are starting to stare,” I whisper-yelled at her.

But she only rolled her eyes and said, “Captain Ezra, reporting for duty!”

He saluted back, grinning. “Mission: cookies and ice cream!”

“You have some explaining to do,” she whispered, then she huffed and drove the cart with Ezra away.

I sighed and followed behind.

We were halfway down the snacks aisle when I felt it—that strange pull in my chest. The kind that tells you something is about to go wrong before it actually does.

But I ignored it.

Zoey was a few steps ahead, checking a box of cereal, when her laughter suddenly stopped.

“Zoey?” I called softly.

She froze. Then turned—and I followed her gaze.

Julian and Drew.

Both of them stood by the refrigerator section, dressed down but unmistakably out of place here—polished, confident, too familiar for comfort. Drew was saying something, and Julian leaned against the cart, grinning.

My stomach dropped.

“Ezra,” I breathed out.

Before I could do anything, Julian’s gaze flicked up, casual at first—then his eyes sharpened, recognition slicing through the distance like glass. Drew followed his line of sight, and the shift in their expressions told me everything.

Why the hell are they here?

For a second, the whole world went quiet. Then Zoey whispered, almost breathless, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Drew turned to her at the sound of her voice. The change in his face was instant—shock, then something softer, something raw.

“Zoey?”

Her throat bobbed. “Hi, Drew.”

I could practically hear her heartbeat from where I stood. Ezra blinked between all of us, confused. “Mommy, who are they?”

I forced a smile, my voice a little too calm. “Just… old friends.”

But Ezra, in all his honesty, waved his little hand. “Hi, old friends!”

Seriously Ezra? Well I blame myself for teaching to be nice to strangers. 

Julian smiled faintly. “Hi, kiddo.”

Zoey shot me a look that said we need to leave now, but before we could move, Drew stepped closer. “Zoey, wait.”

Did I fail to mention Zoey and Drew had… No, there was a little something going on but…

She turned, crossing her arms, trying to keep her voice steady. “What do you want me to say? That it’s good to see you? Because it’s not.”

Drew’s jaw clenched. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Then don’t,” she whispered, eyes glistening just a little before she blinked it away.

Ezra tugged at my sleeve. “Mommy?”

I picked him up and did well to hide his face. “We really have to be on our way. Nice to meet you guys.”

So not nice at all.

When I looked up again, Julian’s gaze was still on me—sharp, unreadable. And I knew. He had recognized Ezra.

But I really hope he didn’t.

My pulse quickened.

Zoey broke the silence first. “Come on, Eli. Let’s go.”

I nodded, gripping the cart handle tighter. As we walked past, I could feel Julian’s eyes on my back.

I'm not sure Drew noticed anything. He was so into Zoey, I doubt he even noticed me.

---

Outside, Zoey exhaled shakily. “Of all the supermarkets in this city…”

I gave a small, nervous laugh, pushing Ezra’s cart toward the car. “Of course it had to be this one.”

I looked at Zoey. “Are you okay?”

Of course, she's not okay. She just saw someone she swore she wouldn't come in contact with ever again.

She laughed hard, till the point that tears filled her eyes. I didn't know if those were unshed tears or from her laughing too hard.

“Why wouldn't I be?” She shrugged. “Seeing him doesn't change anything,” she said, wiping her eyes.

And I didn't push any further.

Ezra waved goodbye to no one in particular, still cheerful. “So...Can we still get ice cream?”

Zoey looked at him, then at me, and we both burst out laughing.

“Yes, baby,” I said, smiling even as my chest ached. “We can still get ice cream.”

After getting the ice cream from a different store, we drove back home in silence. Each of us deep in our own thoughts, while Ezra soundly slept with ice cream smudge around h

is tiny lips. I smiled.

Now what? I'm sure Julian saw Ezra, but did he recognize him? I really hope not!

But what if he did? Would he tell Kian about it?