Chapter 5 Don’t you dare leave me.

I did not retreat. If my confession accelerated the collapse of my marriage, it only proved that my marriage itself had problems.

"Haley," he finally sighed. "I just didn’t want Jordan upset at his birthday party. I had no other intentions." He grabbed me. "What you said about Joey replacing you – I swear, Joey and I didn’t have sex."

"You should have explained this to Jordan afterwards," I replied.

"I should have, but I was too busy. You know work suddenly piled up recently..." Sebastian explained.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Sebastian exhaled sharply and rubbed the bridge of his nose, as if struggling to maintain patience. "Haven’t I always defended you?" His voice was low and firm.

He was right. He defended me in front of Catherine and Jordan. I had no evidence of their affair.

I let out a breath and finally said, "Come down to the restaurant with Jordan in an hour."

Sebastian hesitated, seeming to want to say more, but ultimately sighed and walked away.

For the next hour, I stayed in the kitchen carefully preparing homemade macaroni and cheese – Jordan’s favorite. It sounded foolish, even desperate, but I needed to remind him I was his mother. I loved him.

After preparing the meal, I set the table and called them down.

Jordan ran over first, his small arms wrapping tightly around me. "Mommy, I love you," he whispered.

I froze. It was the first time he’d said this in weeks. I slowly looked up at Sebastian. He stood behind Jordan, watching me intently. He must have spoken to Jordan again.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back. Smiling, I kissed Jordan’s forehead. "I love you too, sweetheart."

A trace of smugness touched Sebastian’s lips. He pulled out a chair for me. After we sat, he immediately directed the conversation, lightly tapping the table to get Jordan’s attention while glancing at me cautiously: "Does the rocket ship in your cartoon use macaroni and cheese as fuel?"

"Mommy! Can I have more cheese?" Jordan asked, cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s.

"Triple cheese dose special," I forced a smile.

"The best!" he mumbled.

Sebastian traced the rim of his coffee cup. Suddenly, he spoke softly over the clinking forks: "Your mom works miracles." His intense gaze burned my face. Under the table, his knee pressed firmly against my thigh – a warm, solid anchor against my trembling. "Always has."

Joey’s shadow disappeared after dinner, and the rest of our conversation was pleasant.

After dinner, we sat in the living room. Jordan curled in a corner of the sofa, engrossed in his favorite cartoon. With colorful lights flickering on-screen, I sat beside Sebastian, our knees nearly touching. His arm rested casually along the sofa back but subtly tightened around my waist, pulling me gradually against him.

I leaned into his chest, feeling his familiar heartbeat – a rhythm I’d memorized over countless fearful nights. His stubble brushed my hairline as he released a nearly inaudible sigh.

"Hey, wanna go upstairs?" His breath warmed my ear like nighttime embers, igniting my nerves.

I nodded instinctively. He stood immediately, clasping my hand. Fingers interlaced, we slipped upstairs quietly.

Upon entering the bedroom, he closed the door and pressed me firmly against it. Before I could catch my breath, his demanding kiss consumed me. My legs instinctively hooked around his waist for support, though my body craved surrender more than his.

I kissed him back fiercely, biting his lower lip until he cursed under his breath. He retaliated with a bite of his own, awakening primal desire within me.

"Naughty kitten," he rasped, voice scorching like lava. "You’ll get what you want."

He slipped a hand under my robe. As the black lace bra sprang free, he stared hungrily at my breasts.

"Did I ever tell you," he murmured, eyes locked on me like prey, "how perfectly shaped your breasts drive me insane? Damn, I want to devour them."

He lowered his head, undid the clasp, and took one nipple into his mouth. Tongue swirling, teeth grazing the hardened peak – I moaned uncontrollably, fingers gripping his thick black hair.

"Quiet. Jordan’s downstairs," I chided softly.

"He’s watching cartoons." Seb pulled back with a smirk, lips wet. He knelt, fingers trailing slowly up my inner thigh. Each touch sparked fire, stripping away my reason.

"You’re wet like rain-drenched flowers," he gazed up intensely. "Don’t worry, I’ll savor you gently."

He peeled aside my underwear and took me in his mouth. I bit my knuckle to stifle cries. His tongue worked like magic – alternating speed and pressure until I trembled like a shell battered by waves, nearing collapse.

As I gasped and arched uncontrollably, he stood and braced his arms beside me.

"Once this deal closes..." he pressed against my entrance, "we’ll vacation alone. Just us. No Joey, no meddling relatives."

My eyes widened in surprise and emotion. Before I could respond, he thrust deep with a muffled groan, as if holding back for too long.

"On the beach," he vowed, "I’ll make you unable to walk daily."

"Asshole," I laughed, slapping his shoulder.

"Yours," he growled, thrusting deeper. "Your devoted asshole."

That night’s lovemaking was fiercer than ever, leaving us both profoundly satisfied.

Eventually, I fell asleep.

At 6:30 AM, my alarm rang. Staring at Sebastian’s defined muscles and peaceful sleeping face, I decided to trust him.

After washing up, I prepared breakfast. When I laid out their clothes, Sebastian and a freshly washed Jordan came downstairs.

"Breakfast," I said.

"Mom," Jordan mumbled through his sandwich. "Can you pick me up after school today?"

He usually asks Sebastian. This felt like reconciliation. I nodded eagerly. "Of course."

I believed Joey’s shadow would eventually fade.