Chapter 231 Extra Spicy
TESSA
I woke up to a strange sound. The scraping of wood followed by a muffled clink made me open my eyes, looking for the source of the noise.
I frowned, forcing myself out of bed, catching the soft snore that came from the couch in the living room.
Owen was still asleep. His head was tilted awkwardly on the cushion, one arm dangling over the side. I’d teased Rowan before about Owen and me “sleeping together from time to time,” but this was the truth. Owen never shared my bed. When he stayed over, it was always the couch. He never pushed nor asked for more. He simply stayed even after my insistence, since this was his house.
A small chuckle slipped out of me. His lips were parted, his breathing deep. He looked so tired -probably from his work trip.
I made a mental note. I’d cook his favorite mealter. He deserved at least that much.
The sound outside pulled me again, curiosity gnawing at me.
I slipped quietly past him, tugging a sweater over my nightclothes as I stepped out into the morning air. The cool breeze kissed my cheeks, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the steady hammering noise.
Near the trees by our house, I saw Rowan.
He was crouched between two trees, wood dust clinging to his arms. His skin had taken on a sun-browned hue over the past days, and I couldn’t deny it-he looked good. His arms flexed as he worked, his jaw tight with concentration.
I shook my head at myself, trying to chase away the flutter that ignited in my chest.
“What are you doing?” I called, my voice breaking through the sound,
He turned at once, and a smile appeared on his lips.
“Oh, hey, Tessa,” he said, eyes sweeping over me before softening. “You look beautiful.”
I frowned, tugging my sweater tighter, “I just woke up,” I deadpanned.
“Even better,” he grinned.
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And then, with a proud kind of boyish excitement, he stepped aside and tapped the thick branch of one of the trees. My eyes widened when I saw what he was building.
A swing.
The ropes were tied tightly between the branches of the two trees, and a wooden seat hung perfectly in the middle.
“Sorry for the noise,” Rowan said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I wanted to make a swing for Ca.”
“You built it… for her?”
“Yes.”
“There are swings at the yground, but I saw she couldn’t ride them much. There are too many other children. I n on making more new ones today, too, once the clinic renovations are finished. But this one… I wanted Ca to have this.”
My throat tightened. Since when? Since when had he been here doing all this? Remembering the little details I had missed?
“Since when have you been here?” I asked softly, afraid of the answer.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he just looked at me, his eyes so full it made me doubt myself again.
“Isn’t it great?” he said after a second, gesturing toward the swing. “It wouldn’t be able to support me, but it’ll hold you. If you want to try.”
His excitement was contagious. Despite the walls I kept patching up inside me, my softened.
The sound of hurried footsteps cut through the moment.
heart
“Mommy?” Ca’s voice rang from the house, small feet thudding against the earth as she bounded into view. Her eyes darted between me and Rowan. “Mister?”
And then she saw it.
Her little mouth fell open, her eyes wide with awe. “A swing?” she whispered.
Rowan stepped forward, his smile gentle, “Is it for me?” she asked, eyes shimmering.
“Yes,” Rowan said without hesitation. “Your mommy wanted me to build it for you.”
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My head snapped toward him. I hadn’t said anything. I hadn’t even known he was making it. Before I could speak, Ca squealed andunched herself at me.
“Thank you, Mommy! I love it!” She wrapped her little arms around my waist, her face glowing with joy.
The words stuck in my throat. I hadn’t done this for her.
I gave her everything I could, yet here was proof that even everything wasn’t enough. I hadn’t thought of the swing; she always lingered near the yground but never imed it for herself. I hadn’t given her this piece of joy.
Rowan had.
Ca turned, her little arms stretching out toward him. She hugged him tightly, her voice muffled against his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I always wanted one.”
My heart twisted, a thousand emotions crashing together.
“If you want anything,” he muttered, brushing a hand over her hair, “just tell me. I’d give it to you.”
“Everything.”
***
“What is he doing here with us?” Owen asked in an annoyed tone.
I followed his gaze across the small dining area where Rowan stood beside Ca, guiding her little hands as she carefully set tes on the table. She was beaming, tongue poking out in concentration as he praised her with every fork she ced correctly.
Damn it… they really did look alike now that they were next to each other like this.
My heart tugged at the sight, uninvited warmth rising in my chest until I realized I was smiling,
A sigh tore through the air, snapping me out of it.
I turned back to Owen, his eyes narrowing slightly as though he could read every thought passing through me.
“Ca wanted him to stay,” I exined softly, brushing my palms against the hem of my sweater. “Because… well, he built her a swing.”
Chapter 231 Extra Spicy
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Another sigh escaped his lips, longer this time. “I could have done it.”
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I let out a short chuckle before I could stop myself. “You’re already busy as it is. You need to head back tomorrow, right?”
His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, finally, he muttered, “Don’t remind me.”
Something in me softened. Owen’s life was a constant grind of responsibilities and restless travel. He stretched himself so thin that I sometimes wondered what truly kept him going.
“Well,” I said, determined to ease the tension before it suffocated us all, “to cheer you up, I made your favorite.”
His head lifted at that, the shadows in his expression cracking just enough for a small smile to slip through. “Extra-spicy chili?”
“Yes,” I confirmed with a grin.
With that, I raised my voice just enough for Ca and Rowan to hear.
“Let’s eat!”