<b>Chapter </b><b>132 </b>
-CELINE’S POV-
(One hour earlier: At the hospital, before the motel confrontation)
ncey’s hand was warm against mine as he reached across the diner table, and i frozepletely. The salt and pepper shakers I had been fidgeting with suddenly felt like anchors in my sweaty palms,
“understand,” he said softly, his green eyes filled with something that lonked dangerously close to genuine concern.
“It couldn’t have been an easy decision to make, especially with Caesar”
I bit my lower lip so hard I tasted copper, Eghting back the tears that seemed determined to spill over. He was right. it hadn’t been easy.
Nothing about this nightmare had been easy.
And now, knowing what <b>I </b>carried in my pocket, what I carried in my body, everything felt impossiblyplicated.
The pregnancy test results seemed to burn through the paper, through my clothes, straight into my skin.
Another secret. Another burden. Another reason why running away felt like the only option left.
“Here we go!” The waitress’s cheerful voice cut through the heavy moment as <b>she </b>approached our table with steaming tes. “One chocte chip pancake stack for the little <b>man</b>, and two dinner specials for the adults.”
Caesar’s face lit up like the Fourth of <b>July</b>, and I quickly pulled my hand away from ncey’s, my cheeks burning
What was I thinking, letting a strangerfort me like that? I couldn’t afford to get attached, couldn’t afford to <b>trust </b>anyone else with my
heart or my secrets.
ncey nced at his empty hand, then back at me, but <b>his </b>smile never wavered. That easy, understanding expression that made my chest tighten with dangerous warmth.
The waitress beamed <b>at </b>Caesar’s <b>obvious </b>excitement.
“Someone’s happy about those pancakes!
I cleared my throat, trying to regain someposure, “<b>Caesar</b>, what do <b>you </b><b>say </b>to the nice uncle who bought you dinner?”
My son looked up from his te, syrup already coating his chin, and turned those bright eyes toward ncey. “Thank you, Uncle nceyl <fn0b06> The rightful source is F?nd-Novel</fn0b06>
These are almost as good as <b>Papa’s</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
“Anytime, buddy,” ncey <b>said</b>, reaching
ing over to ruffle Caesar’s hair with such natural affection that my heart clenched.
I managed to whisper my own thanks, but ncey shook his head with mock seriousness,
“If you say “thank <b>you</b>! one more time, I might be forced to do something you won’t like.”
I blinked at him, confusion wrinkling my <b>brow</b>, “What do you mean?”
His grin turned yful<b>, </b>almost mischievous. “I might have to start charging interest on all that gratitude.”
Despite everything…the fear, the tiredness, the secrets weighing me down–I found myself smiling
10-20. Wed,
Actually smiling.
When was thest time I had done that? Before thewyers‘ message, certainly. Before everything fell apart
ncey chuckled at my face and began eating his own meal, and for a few precious minutes, we existed in this bubble of normality
Just three people sharing dinner, like a real family might.
But i wasn’t part of a real family. I was a runaway with a toddler and a secret that could change everything
(The Motel Scene]
The drive back to the motel was quiet except for Caesar’s sleepy chatter from the backseat.
As we pulled into the parking lot, my eyes immediately locked onto the sleek Ferrari sitting like a predator among the beaten down
“Now that’s what I call slumming it,” nceymented, following my gaze. “Wonder what kind of person drives a car like that to a ce
like this.”
I stared at my rented Honda, looking pathetic and worn next to the Ferrari’s gleaming perfection.
Something about that car made my skin crawl with unease, though I couldn’t put my finger on why.
“Probably someone who got lost<b>,</b>” I murmured, but the words felt hollow
We made our way toward the reception area, Caesar’s hand secure in mine.
Instead of Victor, the usual desk clerk, there
re was a woman behind the counter with bleached hair and a cigarette dangling from her lips.
The acrid smoke hit us immediately, and I quickly covered Caesar’s nose and mouth with my free hand.
ncey frowned deeply, gesturing toward the prominent “NO SMOKING” sign on the wall behind her. “Excuse me, I think you missed the
sign.”
The woman barely nced up from her magazine. “Yeah, <b>and</b>? Your
<b>need </b>a room or what?”
“I’ll get your key,” ncey said to me, his voice tight with annoyance. “Stay back here with Caesar.”
“You don’t have to…
But
the was
was already approaching the counter, his shoulders set in conclusion. “Where’s the guy who’s usually here!”
“Victor? Had an emergency. Family thing” She took another long drag, blowing smoke directly in his direction. “You want a room <b>for </b>you <b>and </b>your family or not?”
ncey nced back at me and Caesar, and I gave him <b>what </b>I hoped was a reassuring smile. The word “family” shouldn’t have made my heart skip, but it did.
“Thedy was rushed to the hospital this morning.” ncey exined. “<b>Her </b>things are still in her room. We need the key.”
The woman’s eyes shifted from ncey to me, recognition dawning “Ahir, you’re the one who caused all themotion. Yeah. I heard <b>about </b>
<b>that</b><b>.</b>”
“The room key?” ncey’s patience was clearly wearing thin
She stubbed out her cigarette in an overflowing ashtray and turned to examine the keyboard on the art Boom 247 shook was empty
“Key’s not here. You sure you didn’t take it with you?”
I
“I never took the key,” I said, stepping closer despite the lingering trinke. “I was unconscious when they took me to the hospita
“How the hell do you lose someone’s room key?” ncey’s voice carried a dangerous edge
The woman scowled and muttered something under her breath that made my ears burn, then yanked open a drawer and pulled out a spare key.
“Here, shitheads. Try not <b>to </b>lose this one.”
“Charming,” ncey said dryly, pocketing the key. “Your customer service really sets this ce apart.”
As we headed toward the stairs, I feltpelled to apologize. “I’m sorry about her betuvior. She was rude to you because of
nceyughed, the sound echoing in the narrow stairwell. “Trust me, I’m used to dealing with people like that. masty, they just wear better suits while they do it.”
“She was scary,” Caesar whispered, <b>pressing </b>closer to my leg
inessmen can be just us
Both ncey and I smiled at that, the innocence of my son’s observation cutting through the tension. At least some things were simple in a three year–old’s world.
We reached the second floor, and I felt my steps slow as we approached room 247. Something felt wrong
The air felt different, charged with an energy that made the hair on my arms stand up
ncey hand me the key as i slid the key into the lock, and the door swung open.
My world stopped.
Hunter stood in the center of the small room like an avenging angel, his dark hair disheveled, his expensive clothes wrinkled from travel
In his clenched fist was a crumpled piece of paper that I recoplized with sinking dread…the check his mother had given me.
Our eyes met across the space that suddenly felt smaller than a coffin, and I watched his face transform from surprise to cold fury.
“Hello, Celine,” he said, his voice deadly calm as he held up the crumpled check. “Surprised to see me?”
Before could find my voice, before I could even process what was happening, Caesar let out a squeal of pure joy
“Papal Papal” He broke free from my grip and ran straight into Hunter’s arms. “You found us! I knew you would!”
Hunter’s entire behavior changed as he dropped to his knees and swept Caesar into a fierce embrace. For <b>a </b>moment<b>, </b><b>his </b>mask slipped, and I saw the raw relief and love in his eyes <b>as </b>he buried his face in our son’s hair.
“I found you, buddy,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I found you.”
But when he looked up at me over Caesar’s head, the <b>cold </b>fury was back, more intense than before.
His gaze shifted to ncey’s hand on my shoulder…when had he put it there?
and something dangerous shed in those blue eyes. I felt my <b>knees </b>go weak, and only ncey’s steadying grip kept me upright.
“Are you okay?” ncey asked quietly, concern evident in his voice,
I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think past the terrible certainty that everything was about to fall apart all
Hunter stood slowly, lifting Caesar with him, never breaking eye contact with me. “Let’s go home, buddy,” he said to our son, but his words
felt like a threat.
Home. As if I still had one. As if I belonged anywhere in his world.
The check in his hand told a different story.