Chapter 7

Chapter 7

~ Mirabella ~

My heart drummed as I strolled out the hallway onto the outside pavement. I stilled and straightened myself when I saw Cole's car parked right outside the building.

Even from afar, I could feel his gaze tear my clothes into shreds as I approached. Very nasty of Cole. Normally, it shouldn't bother me, but something else was eating deep into me.

Cole leaned over to the other side and, before I could reach the handle, he’d already opened it for me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, pressing a thin-lined smile.

“Of course. Anything for my lady.”

I shut the door as he clicked the central lock and revived the engine—not without giving me that small, genuine smile I’d grown accustomed to over the past few years and had come to love.

As his hands moved, reversing out, I couldn’t focus completely on the moment. My mind drifted back to someone. Ethan’s face. The way it dropped when I told him I wouldn’t let him be Theo’s father. And next—my precious, poor son, Theo.

I’m really sorry, Theo. I sighed so loud it earned a glance from Cole.

“Anything wrong, wifey?”

I immediately brushed it off. “Nothing. Wifey is just tired,” I lied, leaning my head against the headrest.

That smile again. He squeezed my hand gently on my thigh. “I’ll take care of you once we’re home.”

I grunted softly. “I know, right,” and chuckled.

Cole’s attention drifted quickly back to the road as my eyes shut again, drifting back to Theo. Truth is, I had no idea if Ethan had agreed to take him or not. I just told him, right after everything, to go take his son—that he was inside—and walked off like I wasn’t hurting to leave Theo behind. Like my heart was made of cold steel. Like I had no remorse for what I was putting my sick son through.

I once thought I knew Ethan well—at least I tried to believe I did—but what if he wasn’t as good as he’s pretending to be? What if he runs off with Theo? Forever. The thought almost made me yell, but I caught myself. Cole would ask. He would press until I told him what was wrong.

And the last thing I want right now is the heaviness of confessing to Cole that I’ve been lying to his face all this time.

God, I just don’t want to care anymore. Not about my engagement to sweet Cole. Not about Ethan. Not about anything. I just want to hold my baby, heal him from his sickness, and give him the best life possible.

“Lena?” Cole tapped me gently, and I forced my eyes open. “Hmm?”

“We’re home. I’ll send Gross to get your car.”

I hummed out of both mental and physical exhaustion as I stepped out of the car. I didn’t even glance back at Cole or wait to go in with him. He was already erupting into what sounded like a business-related call, trailing behind.

I walked in and kicked off my heels, tossed my handbag to the edge of the stairs, and began climbing. Cole would always be the one to bring them up later. I appreciated him for that. Cole is everything Ethan couldn’t be—not even a bit.

After a while, showered and wrapped in a towel, Cole came in.

“Wifey.”

I had expected his usual happy tone whenever he called me that, but this time it sounded weak and strained. Still, he quickly repaired my doubts with the sparkle in his eyes.

“You know what I miss most about you?”

“What?” I chuckled, catching how he skimmed over my body and grinned.

“This. Exactly this. I love it when I walk in on you like this.” His finger pointed at the obvious, and he closed the gap between us quickly. A kiss followed.

I mumbled beneath my breath at how intense he was going and pulled back a bit. “I can see how much you want me.”

“You do?” he chirped, but there was sarcasm in his tone.

“Of course,” I laughed. “Who wouldn’t?”

“You, maybe,” he shrugged, unbuttoning his shirt.

“Shower?”

He shook his head and dropped his shirt onto the bed. “You first, wifey.”

I jagged a brow lightly. “I just got out.”

He was quick to explain, “I know. I meant I want to have you first before taking a shower.” He groaned into my neck, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Cole,” I murmured, resisting—though not completely.

“Don’t you miss me?”

“I do, but you have to take a shower first. Then we can kick off.”

“Ouh, kick off? Who taught you that? That’s not romantic at all.”

I laughed at his tone. “I know now, Cole. Won’t use it again.”

He wasn’t letting go. He kissed and blew softly on my neck and ear until I started losing myself, my arms tightening around his back, my fingers dragging a gentle scratch across it. A mumble slipped out of my lips as my body gave in.

Cole kept going, his kisses growing more intense, trailing up from my neck until he reached my lips. He kissed me with fire, and I followed his rhythm. But the moment his hand unwrapped my towel and it fell to the ground, I saw Theo’s face—clear as day—and heard his small voice echo in my head.

“Mommy, why did you leave me here?”

I flinched so hard that Cole paused instantly. “Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head fast. “No. Not you. I’m sorry.”

He looked me dead in the eyes, concern shadowing his features. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’m just… so jittery. It’s work.”

He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “You work too much. You might want to take a break.”

I parted my lips quickly to object—I hated when he mentioned taking a break. It always made me feel trapped, like I was being cornered again. But my words never made it out.

Because right then, a small voice rang out through the door monitor.

“Mummy?”

Soft, smooth—raised but gentle.

That was Theo. No doubts about it.

Cole and I both snapped our eyes toward the monitor.

I was screwed.

“Who could that be?” Cole asked, glancing at me.

I feigned cluelessness. “Probably our neighbor’s kid. I’ll go check.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll check,” he said, already pulling a random shirt over his head and heading out.

I rushed after him, my heart hammering as my mind raced with a thousand excuses, desperate for something—anything—that could soften what was about to unfold.

He threw open the door, and I stood beside him, breath caught in my throat.

I saw them.

Goddamnit, Ethan.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

Ethan spoke before Cole could even open his mouth. “You left him behind, Lena.”

My senses spiraled, spinning me into dizzy panic. No. No. This isn’t how it was supposed to go.

“Mummy,” Theo squeaked, voice stuffed through a clogged nose. His eyes were red. He’d been crying.

He ran past Cole like he wasn’t even there and crashed into my legs—his small arms wrapping tightly around my thighs, clinging like he never wanted to let go again.