10- Rose

ROSE

I have never been good at pretending.

At least, not when it comes to people who know exactly where to look.

Cleo's face keeps appearing in my mind as I walk towards the school entrance. I try to focus on the little boy holding my hand, but my thoughts keep returning to the woman I never expected to see again.

Six years.

Six years since I last saw her, and yet, one look at her face was enough to make me feel like the frightened girl I had fought so hard to leave behind.

I tighten my grip on Liam's hand.

“Mommy, you're hurting me.”

I immediately loosen my fingers.

“I'm sorry, sweetheart.”

He looks up at me, his little forehead creasing.

“Are you okay?”

I force a smile. “Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?”

“Because you look like you're thinking about something very difficult.”

I stare at him.

Occasionally, I wonder whether Liam is actually five or fifty. The boy notices things most adults overlook, and his habit of asking questions at the worst possible moments doesn't help.

“I'm just tired, baby.”

He studies my face for another second before nodding.

“Okay. But if something is wrong, you can tell me.”

My heart squeezes.

I bend down and kiss his forehead.

“I will.”

He smiles and turns his attention towards his siblings.

Leon has both Leon and Leona in his arms, one child on either side. They seem perfectly comfortable with him, chattering excitedly while he pretends to struggle beneath their combined weight.

“I think I deserve a medal for this,” he announces.

“You're strong, Uncle!” Leon declares.

“Super strong!” Leona adds.

“And what about me?” Liam asks, looking up at them.

Leon glances at him.

“You, little professor, are the lucky one. You get to walk.”

Liam considers that for a moment.

“That doesn't make sense. If you're super strong, you should be able to carry three children.”

I burst out laughing before I can stop myself.

Leon stares at him.

“Remind me never to argue with you.”

“Good idea.”

The children dissolve into laughter.

For a few seconds, I forget about Cleo.

I forget about the past, the questions, and the fear that has been sitting heavily in my chest since she called my name.

Then I remember.

And the smile slowly disappears from my face.

The principal's office is on the left side of the administration building.

A secretary welcomes us and asks us to wait while she informs the principal of our arrival.

I sit on one of the chairs, keeping Liam beside me. Leon remains standing, with Leon and Leona still in his arms.

“You can put them down, you know,” I tell him.

“They seem to have decided.”

I look at my children.

Young Leon has his arms wrapped around Leon's neck, while Leona rests her head against his shoulder.

“Uncle, don't put us down,” Leona says.

“Please,” Leon adds.

Leon sighs dramatically.

“Fine. But if my arms fall off, I'm sending both of you the medical bill.”

Liam shakes his head. “That's not how medical bills work.” but the look in his eyes says he would like to be carried too.

Leon looks at me.

“Your son is exhausting.”

I laugh.

“They're all my sons.”

“Yes, but this one is a special case.”

Liam smiles proudly.

I shake my head, and for the first time since arriving at the school, I feel some tension leave my body.

Then the office door opens.

“Ah! There you are!”

The principal emerges, a middle-aged man with a broad smile and glasses resting low on his nose.

“Mrs…?”

“Rose Jere,” I say, rising to my feet.

“Mrs. Jere. Welcome, welcome!”

He shakes my hand before turning towards Leon.

“And you must be the husband!”

My entire body goes rigid.

The husband?

I stare at the principal, waiting for him to realize his mistake.

Beside me, Leon remains remarkably calm.

He even extends his hand.

“Leon,” he says.

Just Leon. No explanation. No correction.

The principal shakes his hand enthusiastically.

“Wonderful! It's always a pleasure to meet fathers who take an active interest in their children's education. Nowadays, one parent is often left to handle everything alone.”

I want the floor to swallow me.

Leon isn't my husband.

He isn't the father of my children.

He is simply a man who offered to help me, and now he is standing here allowing a stranger to believe something that isn't true.

I open my mouth to correct the principal.

But before I can speak, Leon adjusts his hold on the children.

“Shall we discuss their admission?” he asks. The principal smiles.

“Of course! Please, come in.”

And just like that, the opportunity disappears.

I follow them into the office, my cheeks burning.

Why didn't Leon correct him?

More importantly, why am I so bothered that he didn't?

I have spent years raising my children alone. I don't need a man pretending to be their father, even if the lie is harmless.

At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

I place the acceptance letters and completed forms on the principal's desk.

“These are the documents you requested. Everything has been filled out.”

“Excellent!”

He begins examining the papers, checking each child's name and the information provided.

“Liam, Leon, and Leona,” he reads aloud. “Beautiful names.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

He looks up at the children.

“And are you three excited about your new school?”

“Yes, sir!” Leon answers enthusiastically.

Leona nods.

Liam, however, looks thoughtful.

“Sir, will we have separate desks?”

The principal chuckles.

“Of course. You'll each have your desk.”

“Good. Because Leon keeps taking my things.”

“I do not!” Leon protests.

“You took my pencil yesterday.”

“Because you had two!”

“That doesn't mean you can take one.”

The principal laughs. I cover my mouth, trying not to join him. Leon looks deeply offended. “Sir, I think we should discuss my brother's habit of exaggerating.”

“I'm not exaggerating!”

“Children,” I interrupt, where did they learn these big words?, shaking my head. “Please.”

They fall silent, although Leon continues muttering something about unfair accusations.

The principal smiles at me. “They seem like wonderful children.”

“They are,” I say softly. And I mean it. They are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

The principal finishes reviewing the documents and places them neatly on his desk. “Everything seems to be in order. We'll process these and finalize their admission. You should receive confirmation shortly.”

Relief washes over me. “Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome. We are always happy to welcome new families.” There it is again. Families.

I glance at Leon.

He is standing beside the desk, holding two children while Liam stands close to my side.

He looks so comfortable with them that someone could easily believe he has been doing this for years.

Then his eyes meet mine. He smiles. And for one dangerous second, I allow myself to imagine what it would feel like if this were real.

If I didn't have to explain why my children had no father. If I didn't have to watch them stare at other families and wonder what was missing from ours. If I could simply be Roby and not Rose, a woman bringing her children to school with the man she loved.

I quickly look away. That is a dangerous road to walk. I have already learned what happens when I let myself dream.

“Shall we take them to their classrooms?” the principal asks.

“Of course,” I reply.

Leon finally lowers Leon and Leona to the floor, though both children immediately take hold of his hands.

I hold Liam's hand as we follow the principal out of the office.

The school corridors are filled with colorful paintings and displays of children's work. Several parents stand outside classrooms, giving their children last-minute instructions before leaving.

The principal explains the school schedule, the extracurricular activities, and the importance of arriving on time.

I listen, nodding whenever necessary, but my attention keeps drifting towards Leon.

He asks questions about the children's classes and seems genuinely interested in everything the principal says.

I wonder what he is thinking. Does he realize what his silence in the office did to me? Does he know how badly I wanted to correct the principal and how badly I wanted not to?

“Rose?”

I don't respond.

"Rose?"

"Where is she" I blink. “I mean,Yes?”

The principal smiles.

“I asked whether the children have any particular allergies we should know about.”

“Oh. Yes Liam is allergic to mangoes. The other two, have no allergies that I am aware of.”

“Excellent.”

We turn into another corridor. And I see Leon look at Liam with an expression that is hard to read.

A group of parents stands near the classroom doors, talking among themselves while their children settle in.

My steps slow. Something tells me I should turn around.

I should take my children by the hands and leave before the past catches up with us again. But before I can act on that instinct, a familiar voice reaches my ears.

“Well, well. Look who it is.” My blood runs cold. I know that voice. I would recognize it anywhere.

I stop walking.

Leon notices immediately.

“Rose?”

I don't answer.

I can't.

Because standing a few feet away from us, dressed in an elegant cream-colored outfit with her hair falling perfectly over her shoulders, is the last person I ever wanted to encounter.

Cleo.

My stepsister.

The girl who grew up in the same house as me.

The girl who smiled at me in public and made my life unbearable behind closed doors.

The girl I had prayed never to see again.

Her gaze settles on me, and a slow smile spreads across her face.

“I can't be mistaking this time, Ruby Jere.”

She says my full name as though she's tasting it.

As though she has been waiting years for the opportunity to say it again.

I force my fingers to uncurl from Liam's hand. “Hello, Cleo.” My voice sounds steadier than I feel.

Her eyes travel over my face, taking in my clothes and my appearance before moving to the children.

One by one. Liam. Leon. Leona. Her smile falters for the briefest moment. Then she looks at Leon. Something changes in her expression.

Interest.

Calculation.

And a hint of amusement. “Well, this is unexpected, I didn't recognize you outside because you lost some weight.” She takes a step closer.

“I never thought I'd see you here.” her eyes go to the kids "these must be the little bastards"