Chapter 6

I got a reminder notification on my phone.

Today, I had to go and see my son and spend some time with him.

I handled a few things around the house before heading out.

“Hey, Jayden,” I said with a smile.

He turned and saw me, then immediately stood up from the ground where he had been playing with his toys.

“Mummy!” he shouted as he ran into my arms.

I hugged him so tight. He was looking good and healthy.

“Aunty Lisa has been taking good care of you, huh?”

He nodded.

“Where's Aunty Lisa, by the way?”

He pointed towards the kitchen.

I carried him in my arms as we headed towards the kitchen. I had missed him so much.

“Hey, Lisa.”

“You're here,” Lisa replied.

“Yeah. I can see how good my boy is looking. Thank you so much for looking after him.”

“You're welcome. Jayden is a good boy, and he doesn't give me any trouble.”

I gave her some money for his expenses since I had been paid at the beginning of the month.

Then I took Jayden to the children's park.

I watched him have fun. I just wanted to spend some quality time with him. Although I was away, he shouldn't feel abandoned.

A few hours later, it was time for me to go back home.

Jayden felt bad. I could see the sadness on his face, and I didn't want to leave either.

“Don't worry, Momma will come back, alright?”

He nodded.

I gave him some candy, hugged him, and went back to the house.

When I came back home, the house was quiet.

No one was in the living room, but Anthony's car was outside, so he had to be somewhere in the house.

Even though he could have left with any other car.

Then I saw him on the balcony, sulking and sipping wine.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked as I joined him.

He looked at me and didn't say anything for a few seconds.

“I wasn't in love with Essa,” he said.

“So why were you with her?”

“Because my mom wanted me to. I just wanted to make her happy.”

“Then you should be happy you have a reason to keep her out of your life.”

“No, Emma, you don't get it. We've been together for a couple of years. I proposed. I thought that maybe, just maybe, it was going to work out, and I was faithful all these years.” He said, blinking his eyes like he was about to cry.

“She was going to pin that pregnancy on me. You know what? Never mind. I shouldn't bother you with this,” he continued.

I could feel the pain in his voice. Essa really did him dirty.

“No, you're not bothering me, and it's a good thing you don't love her. I know you've spent a lot on her and you were taking care of her, but that's what we do for people we care about.”

He stared at me and continued with his drink.

“And if it makes you feel any better, I was betrayed by my fiancé and best friend the night before my wedding, and I…”

I couldn't get myself to tell him I had a one-night stand with a stranger and got pregnant.

He was quiet for a moment.

“I can't imagine what you went through,” he said.“But I know what it feels like to have someone you trusted disappoint you.”

I looked at him. “You do?”

He took another sip of his wine.

“Let's just say I've learned not to trust people too easily.”

I nodded.

“So what did you do?” he asked.

“I cancelled the wedding the next day at the altar, with me in my wedding dress.”

“To be honest, my pain is nothing compared to what you must have gone through.”

“Yeah”.

This was the first time I was ever having a free conversation with Anthony.

Seeing him not all bossy and cold, just the Anthony I could have a friendly conversation with, felt strange.

We talked and laughed until we didn't know when we had gotten so close.

At some point, he stared deep into my eyes.

I had never been one to maintain eye contact, but I did this time. His eyes were so beautiful.

I didn't know how I felt, but it was so awkward.

“Um, we should go inside,” I said, stepping back from him.

“Yeah, sure. After you.”

We went back inside, but lo and behold, there was Essa.

I gues

s she wasn't aware her secret was out like wildfire.

I just went to my room to wait for the reaction to this situation.