Zara’s POV


    Two days had passed since Antote gave birth, and we were excited to finally visit her at home. She had been discharged from the hospital and was now resting with her adorable baby boys. As we entered the room, Antote greeted us with her usual wit and humor.


    “Thank you for the fruit and the gift. I hope it’s cash! Haha,” Antote joked, making us allugh.


    “Your sons are incredibly handsome, Antote. They must have inherited their good looks from their godfather, Nick,” I remarked, teasing Nick yfully.


    Antote immediately retaliated, defending her children. “Hey, my children don’t look like assholes. And if they inherit anything from you, they might be as smart as you. I just don’t know,” she joked, leaving us all amused.


    “Antote!” Nick blushed, scolding our friend for herment.


    The personal nurses had already put the babies to sleep, allowing us to engage in lighthearted conversation. However, our pleasant moment was interrupted by a phone call from Lucas. He informed me that he was outside the mansion with our child, as he had picked him up from school.


    Surprised by Lucas’s sudden presence and his willingness to spend time with us, I shared the news with Nick and Antote, who were equally confused and amazed. Lucas’s behavior had been inconsistent in the past, so his unexpected interest in our family was unexpected.


    Antote, always quick to add humor to any situation, pretended to be even more stressed than me, ying along with the teasing banter.


    Lucas parked the car in the mansion’srge garage and opened the door for our son, Enrique. As I wiped the sweat off Enrique’s forehead, I suggested that Lucas go ahead and that Enrique and I would join himter. However, Lucas had other ns in mind.


    “As if I’ll let Nick steal another moment,” he whispered mischievously, his yful nature shining through.


    “What is that?” I asked, trying to catch his words.


    Lucas didn’t respond and entered the manor before me, leaving me wondering about his intentions.


    We followed them inside, entering Antote’s room, where the tension was palpable. Antote was already in her signature sassy mode, exchanging sarcastic remarks with Lucas.


    Deciding to give them some space, I instructed Enrique to go find the twins in the other room. My son followed me reluctantly, sensing the intensified tension in the air.


    I could hear Antote’s sarcasticment directed at Lucas, “I never imagined that the infamous Lucas ckwood would be here at my humble abode.”


    It was clear that Antote had formed her own negative opinion of Lucas based on my struggles in our rtionship.


    Leaving Antote’s mansion, I noticed Lucas’s car at the gate, with the guard initially hesitant to let him in. After confirming that we knew Lucas, the guard allowed him inside.


    As we drove home, Lucas’s face reflected annoyance, his mood darkening. It seemed like something troubled him, a weight he carried within.


    The following day, life returned to a semnce of normalcy. I busied myself with preparations for our son’s birthday celebration, a significant milestone for us. It was the day Lucas and I would meet for the first time since our separation, coinciding with our son’s special day. Enrique was eagerly looking forward to the festivities.


    Both my mother and grandfather suggested celebrating in our barangay, and Lucas agreed, although he preferred to stay in the background. His presence alone would mean the world to our son, and that was all I expected from him.


    The day of the party arrived, and we had decorated the venue with colorful balloons and banners. Friends and family filled the space, eager to celebrate with us. A local caterer had graciously offered to provide the food, ensuring everything was in order.


    “Mom, is Daddying?” Enrique asked, his excitement tinged with a hint of worry.


    I reassured him, nodding with conviction. “Yes, son. He promised he woulde. Maybe he’s still at the office, but he’ll be here.”


    The partymenced, filled withughter, clowns, and joyous moments. Even my mother and grandfather were enjoying themselves. However, as time ticked by and the guests started to leave, Lucas was nowhere to be seen. My heart sank as I witnessed my son’s anticipation turning into disappointment.


    Enrique received many gifts, but his one wish for the day, Lucas’s presence, remained unfulfilled. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my son’s sadness, and a sense of foolishness for believing in Lucas’s promises once more.


    I entered Antote’s room and immediately sensed the tension between her and Lucas Son. It was no secret that my friends were well aware of the difficulties I had faced in my rtionship with Lucas. Consequently, it didn’t surprise me that they harbored negative feelings towards him.


    “I never imagined that the infamous Lucas ckwood would grace my humble abode,” Antote remarked sarcastically, her words dripping with subtle disdain.


    Wanting to shield my son from the mounting tension, I gently instructed Enrique to go find the twins in the adjacent room. He followed me reluctantly, his unease palpable as he sensed the strained atmosphere.


    Lucas, disying a boldness that surprised me, didn’t back down. “What’s wrong with being here? If I’m not wee, just say the word. We can leave.”


    Antote fired back swiftly, her wordsced with sarcasm. “Why would you think that? Are you lost? And do you really have to rush off with your wife and child? Don’t worry; your soon-to-be ex-wife and child won’t vanish into thin air. My friend has finally awakened, and I know that she and Enrique deserve far better than you.”


    Feeling the weight of the escting conversation, I made the decision to leave. I didn’t want to witness their debate any longer. Nick, though remaining silent, appeared eager to voice his thoughts against Lucas.


    During our flight back home, Lucas’s face wore a mask of annoyance, resembling a crumpled piece of paper. He still possessed his striking looks, but his mood had turned dark, creating an air of mystery around him.


    Once we arrived home, we settled down for dinner, and I put my son to sleep. While cleaning the kitchen that night, Lucas approached me. I braced myself for another argument, but to my surprise, he asked for my forgiveness.


    “I’m sorry for my recent strange behavior. Let’s just forget it, for the sake of our agreement?” I listened, unable to do anything. It pained me that I couldn’t fully ept his apology, even though he was extending it.


    Days passed, and our lives returned to a semnce of normalcy. I found myself busy preparing for my son’s birthday, an asion filled with excitement and anticipation. It would also mark the first meeting between Lucas and me since our separation, coinciding with our son’s special day.


    Both my mother and grandfather expressed their desire to celebrate the asion in our localmunity, and Lucas agreed to the idea, preferring to remain low-key. All that mattered was his presence for our son, and I had epted that as enough.


    Together with Antote, who had made a remarkable recovery, we arranged a mini stage and entertainment area for the children at our home in the brigade. Nick graciously offered to cater for the event, ensuring that everything was in order.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    “Mom, will Daddye?” my son inquired, his eyes filled with hope.


    I nodded confidently, assuring him, “Yes, son. He promised he would be here. Maybe he’s still at the office, but he’ll make it.”


    The birthday partymenced, filled withughter, clowns, and joyful moments. Everyone, including my mother and grandfather, reveled in the festivities. However, as the hours ticked by and the guests began to leave, there was no sign of Lucas. My heart sank as I witnessed my son’s anticipation turn into disappointment.


    Despite the multitude of gifts he received, his one wish for the day remained unfulfilled-Lucas’s presence. I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of anger and foolishness for believing in his promises once again. It hurt me deeply to see my son in tears on his special day, his innocence tarnished by his father’s absence.


    Antote and Nick did their best tofort him, but it was clear that he longed for Lucas’s arrival above all else. In that moment, I cursed Lucas ckwood silently, regretting ever having hoped for more. Today, I realized just how foolish I had been, and it was my son who paid the price for it!