By the time the sun dipped lower into the sky, casting long golden shadows across the driveway, Lois was standing at the foot of the steps, her car keys dancing around softly in her hand.“I’ll call you later,” she said with a calm voice, but her eyes were full of concern. “Try not to let this ruin the rest of your day, Jess.”Jessica gave a strained smile. “Yeah. I’ll try my best.”Lois opened her mouth to say something else, but the sudden screeching of tires on gravel made them both turn around.A black Cadillac pulled into the driveway. The front bumper looked very dusty, and the left headlight was slightly dim. It hadn’t even come to a full stop before Ethan jumped out of it, slamming the door shut behind him. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair looked like a real mess, and he carried a brown paper bag in one hand.“Lois,” he called breathlessly. “Hey. How are you doing?”“Great,” Lois said with a raised eyebrow. “Right on time...for dinner.”Ethan ignored the sarcasm and tur
The phone buzzed loudly on Jessica’s nightstand.She stirred on her bed, rubbing her eyes together as she reached for it, only to see Ethan’s name on her screen.She hesitated, thumb hovering. Then finally decided to answer the call.“Hello?”“Hey,” came his voice softly and tentatively. “I just... I wanted to say that I’m sorry about what went down yesterday. I should have known better.”Jessica sat up straighter to get the call over with quickly. “Ethan....”“Please,” he cut in gently. “Do you mind if I bring her breakfast today. So I can make it up to her and also to you.”“Ethan, you really don’t have to.” She closed her eyes, jaw tight. “That’s not necessary.”“I know,” he said quickly. “But I want to. I feel like I need to do this for my child.” There was silence between them. Then Jessica looked toward the door leading out of her room.“Fine. She loves strawberry waffles,” she finally said. “And warm milk. Not hot, it should just be warm.”“I’ll get it exactly righ
The sun hung low in the sky as Ethan’s car pulled into the driveway of Jessica’s parents’ estate. The familiar house stood still and quiet as they drove in. Her parents were away on a weekend trip, and only the staff remained home to take care of everything. The heavy front doors creaked open as housekeepers stepped outside, ready to assist them with whatever they needed.Ethan shut off the engine and glanced at Jessica beside him. She was quiet, her arms crossed and eyes forward.He got out and circled the car to open the backseat door. Avery was already unbuckling her own seatbelt, her little fingers fumbling with the latch.“Can you carry me, Daddy?” she asked with her soft voice, eyes hopeful.Ethan froze at her words.Jessica stood still, watching the scene unfold in front of her.He glanced at her, uncertain and asking for silent permission from her.She hesitated...then gave a short nod to him.Ethan's chest tightened. He reached into the car and lifted Avery into his a
A soft gasp broke the stillness of the hospital room.“Mommy?” Avery’s tiny voice echoed under the dim light, her eyes fluttering open as she looked at her environment.Jessica’s eyes snapped open as if she’d been holding her breath while she was sitting and sleeping. She bolted upright from the chair beside her daughter’s bed, blinking through the haze of exhaustion she was feeling.“Avery?” she whispered, stumbling to her feet.“Mommy!” Avery beamed with joy, slowly lifting her arms up.Jessica reached her in two strides, hugging her daughter against her chest as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, my baby. You’re awake, you’re really awake.”Avery giggled softly, her arms barely strong enough to cling to her own mother’s neck. “Mommy, why are you crying.”Jessica sniffled, pressing her lips to her daughter's forehead. “I thought I was going to lose you, my love. I thought I’d never hear your sweet voice again.”“But I’m okay,” Avery whispered to Jessica, her small fingers gently bru
Jessica sat beside her daughter’s bed, her fingers gently tracing slow circles over the back of her tiny hand. The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room, grounding her against the swirl of emotions causing turmoil inside of her.Ethan entered the room quietly, a paper cup of coffee in his right hand. “Figure you may need this,” he said, offering the cup to her.Jessica blinked at him, then took the cup. Her fingers brushed his, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold hospital air. “Thanks,” she whispered slowly.He pulled a chair beside hers, settling down without saying another word. For a while, they just sat there, the low hum of machines the only sound between them.Jessica broke the silence first. "When did everything between us get so... complicated?"Ethan leaned closer to her, resting his elbows on his knees."Maybe when I stopped seeing you as someone who was enough for me," he said after a beat.Jessica stared into her coffee
The screen on Ricky’s phone dimmed, but the words from the text had been seared into his mind; Jessica curled up against Ethan, her hand resting on his; the intimacy he saw was impossible to ignore.He had come to the hospital with his heart racing, fear on every step he took, worried about Avery even though he and Jessica had just had an argument.Now, all he could feel was cold.The burn of betrayal wasn’t loud or fiery. It was still, quiet and creeping. Like a crack beneath the surface of something he’d convinced himself to forget. Deep down, he’d always known. But tonight made it real to him.His feet moved before he made the conscious decision to step back into the hospital.The door stood slightly ajar. Beyond it, the soft sound from Avery’s heart monitor pulsed like a clock to king down.Jessica stirred when the door creaked. Her eyes opened up slowly, then they widened as they landed on Ricky. She sat up fast, pushing herself out of the chair. “Ricky,” she whispered, alr