All Chapters of One Heart, Which Brother?: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

The scent of cinnamon rolls filled Daph’s kitchen as Lia leaned against the counter, arms folded, watching the clock. Her foot tapped anxiously, unconsciously mimicking the beat of Julian’s excited chatter from the living room.“Is he bringing more cookies, Mommy?”Lia gave a tight smile. “I don’t know, baby. But he said he’d bring something you might like.”Julian nodded solemnly, adjusting the tiny backpack slung over his shoulder it was his “explorer” bag, the one he wore when he was pretending to be a jungle adventurer or an astronaut. Today, he was just excited. For Ruben.Lia had tried truly tried to keep things simple. But something about Ruben’s gentler tone lately, his thoughtful pauses, his reluctance to force anything… it unnerved her more than his former cruelty ever did.Because now… now it almost seemed like he regretted it.And part of her a very small, stubborn part hated that she couldn’t entirely hate him anymore.A knock on the door broke her thoughts. Daph answered

Two Days Later – Ruben’s POVKen was losing it. Completely.Ruben could see it in his eyes when they crossed paths outside Lia’s new building.“You took everything from me,” Ken hissed, stepping too close.“I didn’t take anything. You lost it all the moment you let her walk out of your life.”“She was supposed to be mine.”Ruben tilted his head. “And now she’s her own. That’s the part you can’t stomach.”Ken’s smile twisted. “She won’t be yours forever either.”Ruben’s fists clenched, but he kept his voice calm. “You’re not allowed near Julian. The police know. So does the school. Cross one more line, and you’ll be behind bars before you can say ‘custody.’”Ken’s face twisted with a snarl, but Ruben didn’t flinch.He turned and walked away.Because Lia deserved better than another fight over a man who should’ve been left behind long ago.That Night – Lia’s New HomeThe house was quiet.Lia stood on the back porch, arms wrapped around herself as she stared up at the stars. Julian was a

The morning sunlight streamed, warming Lia’s skin as she carefully ironed the edges of her cream-colored blazer. Julian giggled on the bed behind her, watching a cartoon on the tablet Ruben had gotten him weeks ago. It was a rare moment of peace, one she hadn’t felt in a long time.Today was important. A new investor meeting. One that could change the course of her company’s future. She had built her small business from scratch, balancing motherhood, grief, and ambition all while navigating the treacherous waters of the past. Now, she was determined to step into a new chapter, both professionally and personally."You ready to drop me, Mommy?" Julian asked, slipping on his little backpack.She smiled, kneeling to zip it up. "Ready as ever. But I might be late picking you up today, okay? So Miss Daph or Ruben will come for you."Julian beamed. "I like Ruben. He buys me hot chocolate."She laughed and kissed his forehead. "That’s not a reason to like someone."He whispered in her ear, "H

The silence in Lia’s apartment that night was no longer peaceful it was suffocating.After Ruben left, she’d checked all her windows twice, tested the locks on her door, and pulled the curtains shut so tightly not a sliver of moonlight could slip through. Her fingers hovered over her phone again and again, debating whether to call someone anyone but she didn't want to panic Julian.He was already asleep in his room, clutching his lion plush tightly. She should’ve felt safe. Should’ve felt like she was home.But her instincts were louder than her logic now.Ken was watching.Somewhere. Somehow. He’d made it known.Lia walked the small hallway between her living room and Julian’s door for the fifth time in an hour. Her palms were clammy, her mind spiraling with every worst-case scenario. The way Ken had reacted to the DNA results silent and then suddenly possessive again was exactly what she feared most. It wasn’t just heartbreak. It was obsession.And obsession was dangerous.At 2:17 a

The doorbell rang again.Lia’s heart jumped to her throat.This time, it was morning, and the sun filtered gently through her living room curtains. Julian was seated on the floor with his crayons, drawing something that looked like a dinosaur with wings.She walked to the door cautiously and checked the peephole.It was Ruben.Relief flushed through her body, followed immediately by an uneasy awareness. She wasn’t used to anyone showing up like this like he belonged. And yet, part of her didn’t mind it. A part of her had expected him.She opened the door.“You okay?” he asked, eyes scanning her face. “I was worried.”She stepped aside and nodded. “Come in.”Julian squealed when he saw Ruben and scrambled to his feet, running over to show him his drawing.“Look! It’s you and me we're flying!”Ruben crouched beside him, smiling at the chaos of green and blue lines. “I love it. We look like superheroes.”Lia leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. Her chest t