Chapter 4 None Of Your Business

I was just about to hang up when Mia suddenly changed the subject.

"I'm taking Ethan to his swim class at Uptown Plaza today. You could stop by if you like."

"No need," I said flatly.

Before she could say another word, I ended the call.

With the phone back on the table, I went back to making pumpkin fritters for Cole, the scent of warm squash and fried batter filling the kitchen. Life rolled on quietly like a river finding its course.

Until that afternoon.

I had just wrapped up a live broadcast and was leaving the studio when an unknown number popped up on my phone.

It was Ethan's kindergarten teacher.

She introduced herself, overly cheerful, and said it was the Parent-Child Art Day, one of those cutesy events where kids and their parents painted together. All the parents had shown up… except Ethan's.

"Would you be able to join?" she asked brightly.

But I cut her off. "I'm sorry, miss. Ethan's mother and I are divorced. She has full custody now. I won't be involved in these things anymore."

There was a beat of awkward silence on the other end.

"Is Ethan with you right now?" I asked.

When she said yes, I told her to put me on speakerphone.

I waited for the beep, then spoke clearly. Not loud, but firm. My voice was loud enough for the whole classroom—teachers, kids, and parents—to hear.

"Ethan, we already talked about this. I'm not your dad anymore. Your mom and I are divorced. I won't be involved in your life going forward, so please stop calling me."

Another beat of silence. Then I thanked the teacher curtly and hung up.

After work, I picked Cole up from preschool and took him to a barbecue place.

The table next to ours was celebrating a birthday. There was singing, clapping, and confetti popping.

That was when it hit me.

Cole's birthday.

I pulled out my phone and checked the calendar.

It was this Sunday.

God knew how many birthdays he had spent without cake or candles. No way I was letting this one pass unnoticed.

I cleared my entire weekend, setting everything else aside. Come Sunday, we went to the restaurant early. I ordered our food and asked Cole to stay put while I went to pick up his cake.

As I walked back toward the restaurant, cake box in hand, fate decided to play a cruel little trick.

I ran right into Mia.

And standing next to her was Luke.

Of course.

Luke spoke first, his voice smug. "Thought you and Mia were splitting up. What's this, running back already?"

I ignored him and stepped past, only for Mia to grab my arm.

Her tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Well, look at you. Thought you were so proud, walking out like that. Guess I was right—you couldn't go even a few days without crawling back. Are you here to beg for a seat at Ethan's birthday table?"

I stared at her, my voice deadpan as I muttered, "Move. Who said this cake was for Ethan?"

Her smile faltered. "If not for him, then who?"

I didn't answer. "I don't want to argue. Just let me through. You and your happy little family can enjoy your day."

Her expression darkened when she heard that. "Ben, don't push me. You're really starting to piss me off."

I brushed past her and walked into the restaurant.

Cole waved from our table, grinning ear to ear. I waved back.

At the next table over, of all people, Ethan was sitting there, frowning at me like I had just ruined his meal. He obviously thought I was waving at him.

I didn't correct him, nor did I look twice. I just sat beside Cole and handed him the cake.

Mia and Luke came in right after and froze when they saw us sitting together.

"Ben, who is he?" Mia asked, her voice low and sharp.

"None of your business," I said without looking up.

She looked ready to explode, but the crowd around her kept her quiet. Too many eyes. Too much pride.

Cole and I dug into our meal, laughing between bites, sharing food like we had done it a million times.

When we were nearly done, Cole said he had to use the restroom.

"I'll come with you," I said, but he shook his head. "I got it."

I let him go, figuring he would be fine.

A few moments later, I saw Ethan heading in the same direction. 'It's just the restroom,' I thought. 'There's nothing to worry about.'

Then suddenly, a waiter came sprinting out from the restroom, breathless.

"Excuse me! There are two kids fighting in the restroom! Any parents here?"

I jumped out of my seat and bolted toward the noise.

The scene hit me like a punch in the gut.

Both boys were on the floor, bruised and scratched, fists still clenched. Their faces were red, eyes filled with tears.

And then Ethan saw me.

His mouth trembled, voice cracking as he whimpered, "Dad… it hurts."

His eyes locked onto mine, his gaze raw, aching, and desperate for comfort.

I looked at him for half a second.

Then I turned to Cole, dropped to my knees, and wrapped him in my arms without hesitation.