<b>Chapter </b><b>151 </b>
<b>~</b>CELINE
Morning light filters through the curtains, casting long shadows across the empty driveway where Hunter’s car sat just hours ago.
I wrap my arms around myself, the silk of my robe doing nothing to chase away the chill that has nothing to do with the morning air.
My phone sits on the nightstand like a weapon, Eleanor’s message still glowing
on
the screen:
“We need to talk.”
Four simple words that make my stomach twist into knots.
It’s like she was watching, waiting for the exact moment Hunter would leave. Like she has some sixth sense that tells her when I’m alone and
vulnerable.
I should call him.
Tell him his mother contacted me. But Hunter’s probably boarding his flight right now, focused on whatever business crisis requires his
attention.
Thest thing he needs is me falling apart over a text message.
My phone buzzes again, and I flinch so hard I nearly drop it. But this time, it’s Hunter’s name on the screen.
‘Just got to the airport. How’s Caesar? Give him a kiss from Papa.‘
Relief floods through me. Hunter. Not his mother. Just Hunter, checking in like he promised.
I type back quickly: ‘Still sleeping. He’s going to miss his papa when he wakes up.’
Almost immediately, my phone rings.
Hunter’s name shes across the screen, and I hesitate. My thumb hovers over the answer button while Eleanor’s message burns in my peripheral vision.
Answer it. Act normal. Don’t let him know anything’s wrong.
“Hello?”
“What took you so long?” Hunter’s voice is warm but concerned. “I was starting to worry.”
“Sorry, I was justing out of the bathroom.” The lie slips out easily, and I hate myself for it.
“How was the drive?”
“Fine. Traffic was light.” There’s a pause, and I can picture him running his hand through his hair. “I miss you already.”
“You’ve been gone for two hours.”
“Two hours too long.” Hisugh is soft, intimate. “Tell me what you’re wearing.”
“Hunter.” I can’t help but smile. “You’re in public.”
<b>1/4 </b>
FTI, <b>Aug </b>
<b>“</b><b>I’m </b>at my gate. No one’s paying attention.” His voice drops lower. “Are you still in that blue robe<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Maybe.”
“Good. I like thinking of you wrapped in something I bought you.”
My free hand unconsciously goes to my belly, where our baby is growing. Where our secret is still safe. “Hunter?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful in Chicago. Come home to us.”
“Always.” The certainty in his voice makes my chest tight. “I love you, Celine.”
“I love you too.”
After he hangs up, I stare at the phone in my hand. Eleanor’s message is still there, waiting. I should have told him. Should have been honest
about his mother’s text.
But I didn’t. And now it feels like a betrayal.
“Mommy!”
Caesar’s voice cuts through my guilt as he storms into my room, his dark curls wild from sleep. He climbs onto the bed with the determined grace of a three–year–old on a mission.
“Good morning, baby.” I pull him into my embrace, breathing in his sleepy warmth. “Did you sleep well?<b>” </b>
“Is Papaing today?” He looks toward the door expectantly. “His room is empty.”
My heart breaks a little. “Papa won’t being today, sweetheart. He’s busy with work and will be for a while.”
Caesar’s face falls, and I see Hunter’s stubborn expression in the set of his small jaw. “But I want him here.”
“I know, baby. I want him here too.” I smooth his hair back from his forehead. “But we can talk to him through FaceTime. Would you like
that?”
“I like him here better.” Caesar’s voice is small, disappointed.
“Me too,” I admit, pulling him closer. Without saying that I’m scared. That his grandmother wants to tear our family apart.
That I’m terrified of being alone again.
We stay like that for a moment, Caesar’s warm weight against my chest grounding me. Then I force brightness into my voice.
“How about we have a special mommy and Caesar ytime day?”
His face lights up instantly. “What’s that?”
“That’s when you’re a lucky boy who gets to spend the whole day with Mommy doing whatever you want.” I tickle his sides, making <b>him </b>giggle.
“We can have adventures, y games, maybe even build a fort.”
“Really?”
“Really. And I’ll make you a delicious breakfast. Eggs, bacon, toast with jam…” I pause dramatically. <b>“</b><b>What </b>am I forgetting<b>? </b>
<b>“</b>PANCAKES!” Caesar shouts, bouncing on the bed.
“Ah yes<b>, </b>pancakes.” I ruffle his hair. “How could I forget?”
“I love mommy and Caesar time!” He throws his arms around my neck, squeezing tightly.
The pure joy in <b>his </b>voice makes my throat tight. This is what I’m fighting for. This happiness, this innocence<b>, </b>this beautiful little boy who deserves a family.
Caesar pulls away and starts to climb down from the bed. “I need to get my cape.”
“Your cape?”
“My ytime cape. For adventures.” He says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
Iugh despite everything. “Well, then you better hurry and get it. I’ll be here when youe back.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He runs out of the room, and I can hear his footsteps racing down the hallway. I smile, letting his excitement wash over me for just a moment.
Then I look at my phone again.
Eleanor’s message is still there, waiting like a snake in the grass. But this time, I don’t hesitate. I type back quickly:
‘The coffee shop on Maple Street. 10 AM. I’ll be there.’ I hit send before I could change my mind.
My phone buzzes immediately:
‘Good. We have much to discuss.‘ Then another message that makes my blood run cold: ‘Especially your little secret.
My hands shake as I read the words again. Little secret. She knows. Somehow, Eleanor Reid knows about the baby.
I press my palm to my stomach protectively. How is that possible? We haven’t told anyone except Caroline, and she would never…
Would she?
My phone rings, and for a wild moment, I think it might be Hunter. But the caller ID shows a number I don’t recognize. <fn36fc> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fn36fc>
“Hello?”
“Miss Brown?” The voice is professional, clinical. “This is Dr. Martinez from St. Mary’s Hospital. I’m calling about your recent blood work.”
“My blood work?”
“Yes, theprehensive panel fromst week. Your insurancepany requested a copy <i>of </i>the results, and I wanted <b>to </b>confi. address before sending them.”
I never gave my insurancepany permission to request anything. “I think there’s been a mistake. I didn’t….”
“The request came from Reid Industries‘ corporate wellness program. They’re covering your medical expenses<b>?</b><b>” </b>
13:04 Fri<b>, </b><b>8 </b>Aug
Reid Industries. Hunter’spany. But I’m not an employee, and Hunter wouldn’t have ess to my medical records without my
permission.
Well given how he is now, he would, but this is not like Hunter…then that leaves…
Unless someone else requested them. Someone with connections, money, and the ruthless determination to get what they want,
“Miss Brown? Are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m…there’s been a misunderstanding. Please don’t send those results to anyone. I’ll pick them up myself”
“Of course. I apologize for the confusion.”
I hang up, my hands shaking. Eleanor doesn’t just know about the baby–she has my medical records. She knows exactly how far along farm, when I’m due, everything
“Mommy! Look!”
Caesar runs back into the room wearing a red towel tied around his neck like a cape. He strikes a superhero pose, and despite everything can’t help but smile.
“Very impressive, Captain Caesar”
“I’m gonna protect you today!” He climbs back onto the bed, his little face serious. “From all the bad guys.”
If only it were that simple.
“And I’m going to protect <i>you </i>too, baby.” I pull him close<i>, </i>kissing the top of his head. “Always.”
But as <i>I </i>hold my son and think about the fight waiting for me in a few hours, I wonder if love is enough to protect us from Eleanor Reid’s fury
And what she’ll do when she realizes I’m not running away this time.