The Accident

Basking in the warm sound of the piano, I climb downstairs, patting my face dry and wishing it's not all in my head. It's been a while since I heard Hayden play, and I doubt he will suddenly play the piano when I need it the most. Such a coincidence barely exists, especially since he's been acting cold. If he should play, the sound shouldn't sound this cheerful because the fingers play according to what the heart feels.

Unable to believe my eyes, I stand at the landing of the stairs watching the love of my life play the piano. His fingers move effortlessly on the keys, and his head bobs softly to the sound. Tears streak my face at the joyous sight. There's no joy greater than watching Hayden play, trying to cheer me up.

The joy cracks a bit as I realize he doesn't know about my case with Lester and doesn't know I've lost a case, yet he's still playing despite having cold feet.

Then it hits me: Hayden is very good at reading the mood in the room, and that scares me a lot. I can't shake off the feeling that his ability is the reason for his cold behavior. I'm certain he discovered something he was never meant to know. Each time I try to ask what's changed, he always brushes it off. 

Not letting my worries ruin the pleasant moment, I scurry to my wonderful, goddess-given son, hugging him from behind.

He stops and holds my forearms.

“Thanks a lot.” I peck him on the cheek. “It means a lot to me.”

“I'm glad you liked it.” He smiles.

“Oh, I loved it.” I hold his wig, gently removing it. “You’re home now. You don't need it.”

Outside, Hayden has to wear a black wig to cover his dark red hair, the same color as Lester's. No one knows his real hair color except the people living under this roof and the hospital where he was born.

When Hayden inquired about the reason he had to wear a wig, glasses, and a small dot on his cheek to look like his father, I told him he was born different, but people wouldn't see it that way. To spare him the public's judgment, he had to hide behind the face that looked like his father's.

“No.” He stresses the word and tips his head back, looking at me.

“Why?” I'm arranging the wig, adjusting it so it fits again.

He rises to his feet. “Allow me.” His palm flattens on his chest. “Hayden Benjamin to take…” he motions at me. “You’re on an ice cream date.”

The tips of my fingers are on my lips. Happiness bubbles up in my lungs, urging me to squeal ‘yes,’ like a teenager who has been asked on a date.

“Mmm.” I take his hand. “That sounds so right.”

Determined to hold on to his hand, I had Edward, our personal driver, bring me some sneakers and a phone from my room.

Eighteen minutes later I'm looking at the stack of flavors of ice cream in a paper cup, surprised. Hayden had the ice cream attendant scoop out every pink-colored ice cream into my paper cup.

According to him, girls love everything pink.

I take the wooden spoon, scooping out the ice cream and having a taste. It melts quickly in my mouth. The strawberry ice cream tastes divine.

“Mmm.” I take another spoon. “Not bad.”

“I know, right?” he says across from me in the booth. His face brightens with a smile. “I heard ice cream lifts the spirit.”

He continues to enjoy his vanilla ice cream that's piled up like mine. He barely takes a break after spooning his mouth.

I end up watching my son enjoy his ice cream, feeling accomplished that I gave him the luxurious life he deserves. I can't stop being happy each time I think about it.

I sigh softly and look around, a little suspicious of how Hayden knows about the shop. Benjamin has been too busy to take him out. In short, Benjamin works in a different hospital that isn't located in Moon Pack and rarely comes home.

I look back at Hayden, then at my ice cream, poking it with the wooden spoon. “Edward really has eyes for good spots,” I say, curious to know how he got knowledge of the shop. “This place is beautiful.”

“Yeah.” He quickly licks a scoop of ice cream from his wooden spoon and takes a glance at the shop. “But Edward didn't tell me about the place. My friends did.”

“Friends?” I ask, adjusting back in the booth, surprised. Hayden isn't the type who makes friends. 

“Actually, they're twins.”

I stretch my hand, thumbing his cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

My phone vibrates, and I look at the screen. It's an unknown number. I ignore the call and resume licking the ice cream, regretting why I brought the phone with me. Enjoying this moment with Hayden is my utmost goal.

The call comes again, and I decide to take it.

“Who's it?” I lick a scoop of ice cream.

“Hey—”

Tensed, I quickly cut the call after recognizing the caller’s voice. With frantic fingers, I try to block the line, but his incoming call interrupts. I reject the call and block the number quickly. My heart is hammering against my chest as I ponder the reason behind his call. I made it clear he can't ride on my rights, and he knows that well. So, why is he calling? What did he leave unsaid after breaking me with his uncouth words?

“Who is it?” Hayden asks, concerned.

I shake my head, dropping the phone. “Nobody.”

My phone rings again.

“Well, nobody is calling.” He carries on with his ice cream.

“Is not…” I pause, my breath hitches. It's a different unknown number. He might be the one calling with this number.

He must be a psycho for calling with different lines.

I switch my phone off, the best way to solve the problem.

“Mrs. Benjamin,” Edward calls in his manly voice, striding towards the booth. “A prospective client is trying to get to you on the phone. He called and asked—”

“Edward!” I hit my forearms on the booth. Everyone's attention shifts towards me, including Hayden's. I reduce my voice. “I’m busy.”

Edward’s phone is ringing. The thought of Lester being the caller ripples my nerves. I clench my hands, battling with the urge to smash his phone so that it stops ringing.

“It's just a client, Mom,” Hayden whispers, embarrassed by the gazes we keep receiving.

I manage a smile. “It’s beyond work time.”

I tilt my head, looking at Edward. “Tell him to find another lawyer, and I highly recommend Becky.”

“I will.” He scurries out, picking up the call on his way out.

“Let me settle the bill.” Hayden is quick to leave the booth before I can protest.

I sigh softly. My head is switching sides, examining all perimeters, ensuring that Lester is spotted right on arrival. I wouldn't have agreed to the ice cream date if I knew Lester wasn't going to take no for an answer. He could be anywhere. On his way here, to my house, anywhere.

I'm already out of the booth when Hayden comes back with a receipt. He puts it in his wallet as we leave the ice cream shop.

Hayden and I are in the backseat as Edward drives us home. I'm cuddling him as we bring our hands together, sizing them. But my mind is making plans on how to get rid of Lester. He won't stop until I stop him, and I have to do that before he gets anywhere near my house.

Hayden snorts, amused by what we're doing with our hands, and I laugh softly.

I try to focus on what we're doing rather than let my fragile heart lead my thoughts. I don't want to think of the reasons he's calling after nine whole years. Not as if he has one.

“Goddess!” Edward exclaims.

Edward jerks the car to the left, trying to dodge a pedestrian who's crossing the road.

Hayden and I lurch forward, but the seatbelts pull us back. We hit the leather seat hard.

Frantically, I tighten my grip on Hayden to shield him. My gaze snaps to the windshield as the tires screech furiously. I gasp, shutting my eyes, terrified to watch the jeep speeding with no control, aiming to ram into a car driving in front of us.