Chapter 2: A Mother's Choice
Chapter 2: A Mother's Choice
The party ended before midnight.
The guests left with whispers and unanswered questions.
Only Daniel, Olivia, and Oliver remained in the mansion's library.
Oliver sat between them on a giant leather sofa.
Holding both of their hands.
As if he feared either might disappear.
"I never stopped looking for him," Olivia said quietly.
Daniel nodded.
"I know."
"You should have told me."
"I was afraid."
Olivia laughed bitterly.
"Afraid of losing me?"
"No."
Daniel's voice cracked.
"Afraid you would look at me the way you're looking at me now."
The room fell silent.
Because he was right.
For years, Olivia had hated him.
But seeing the guilt in his eyes was almost worse.
Oliver climbed into her lap.
His tiny fingers touched her face.
"Mommy sad?"
The words shattered her heart.
She hugged him tightly.
"No, sweetheart."
Daniel looked away.
Tears filled his eyes.
He had spent two years raising Oliver.
Changing diapers.
Reading bedtime stories.
Holding him through fevers.
He loved his son more than life itself.
And now he feared losing him.
Olivia noticed.
For the first time that night, her anger softened.
"You love him."
Daniel laughed sadly.
"He's the only thing I've ever done right."
Oliver stretched his arms toward Daniel.
"Daddy."
Then toward Olivia.
"Mommy."
The little boy smiled.
Together.
The simplest word in the world.
Yet neither adult knew how much they needed to hear it.
May you like
Together.
Not apart.
