Raising Your Brat, Round Two

"Babe, Luca's still just a kid. I can't leave him alone. Let's bring him here."

Eric Jablon's face was tear-streaked, eyes full of fake grief—and hope.

For a second, I was lost. No blood, no pain, no mangled car. Just me, alive and home.

Time had rewound.

I squeezed out a few tears. "Of course. Your parents vanished so fast. We don't have kids, so we'll treat him like our own."

Same old script—Gregory and Meredith's "late-in-life" miracle. They ditched town when Luca turned three, faked their deaths in a mudslide, and dumped the kid on us.

I adopted Luca under my name, raised him like my own, turned him into a viral sensation. Then bam—Gregory, Meredith, and Tammy Page waltzed back. Tammy, Eric's first love and Luca's actual mom, wanted him back. And me gone.

She made sure of it—ran me over with my own car.

Not this time.

I'd "pay" them all back—with interest.

Eric lit up when I agreed, smile way too bright for a guy who just "lost" his parents. He ran to the door and brought in Luca.

Kid was a mess—tear-streaked cheeks, snot everywhere. Tried wiping it on his sleeve, but Eric stopped him real fast.

In my last life, I bought the whole 'sad little boy' act, failed to notice the signs. Now? Crystal clear—it was all theater.

Eric kept the drama rolling.

"I knew you'd say yes. You've always had such a big heart. It's my fault, really—I was too scared to have kids, and I stole your chance at being a mom. But now with Luca here, maybe this makes up for it."

I smiled—cold, crooked, fake.

After we got married, I begged for a baby. Eric shut it down hard.

Said his mom almost died giving birth to Luca. Swore he'd never risk me like that.

I thought that meant he loved me. Nah. He just already had a kid—with his first love, Tammy.

Luca stayed close to Eric, quiet and awkward. "Daddy..." he whispered.

Last time, I jumped in fast—told him Eric was his brother, I was his sister-in-law. Thought it was important he remembered who brought him into this world.

Eric lost it.

"He's three! What do you want me to do, tell him our parents are dead? He's scared, that's why he called me Dad. Dad's gone—it's on me now. God, women are so dramatic. Arguing with a toddler? Fine. He can call you Aunt."

And that was that. Eric was Dad. I was Aunt Dakota. Out in public, everyone thought I was the stepmom.

It burned, so I brought it up—either both Mom and Dad, or both Aunt and Uncle. Pick a lane.

Eric rolled his eyes. "Already jealous? He's just closer to me. Kids aren't dumb—they know who really cares. Maybe ask yourself if you've actually shown up for him."

I nearly laughed. Me? I paid for everything. His food, clothes, toys. When he wanted to be famous, I went all in. Begged people. Spent a fortune.

When Luca saw us fighting, he broke down.

"Aunt Dakota, I'm not trying to take Daddy from you... I know I don't belong here. Please don't hate me. I'll work hard to be a good investment. I'll earn money so you won't regret raising me."

Eric snapped. Slapped me. Said I was using Luca like he was some paycheck.

Thinking about it now almost made me laugh.

I reached out and brushed Luca's head. "You're living with us now. If he's Dad, then I'm Mom."

Luca blinked, gears turning. "You're not my mom! My mom's name is—"