Chapter 71
The next day, Charlie was practically bouncing with excitement as I dropped him off at school. “Don’t forget, Mamal” he reminded me, tugging my sleeve as I crouched to give him a quick hug goodbye. “Tell him to come early!”
“I won’t forget,” Lassured him, planting a kiss on his cheek before he skipped off toward his friends.
I called Aragon to confirm, and he sounded as eager as Charlie. Til be there,” he promised.
I had no idea how to tell my son that I wasn’t comfortable with his father picking him up. That nightmare had rattled me, and it was hard to shake the lingering unease. The idea of Aragon being close to Charlie felt like a threat, even if that was probably irrational. But how could I explain any of this to a six–year–old who had practically leaped out of the car this morning, excitement written all over his face? If I tried to keep him away from his father, I’d look like the bad guy, and that was the last thing I wanted
I didn’t want to contradict him when I said I wasn’t going to get in their way simply because Aragon and I had history but he wouldnt believe that.
I tried to focus when I got to the office, diving into reports and emails, hoping work would help clear my mind. But every time I stopped to breathe, my thoughts wandered back to Aragon and that twisted dream. What if there was a sliver of truth buried in my subconscious fear? What if trusting him, or even Leah, was a mistake?
Suddenly, the door to my office swing open. I looked up in surprise, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw Charlie standing there, a wide grin
stretching across his face.
“Charlie” I exclaimed, glancing around him to make sure everything was alright. “What are you doing here, honey! School isn’t over yet.”
He ran straight to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, laughing. “Mom, school is overt Dad picked me up!”
The words hit me hard, though I tried to keep my expression neutral. I looked past him and saw Aragon standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets, with a small confident smile on his face. I could feel my pulse quicken
“Oh I see.” I nodded, not letting my eyes linger on Aragon “What’s going on, then!”
Charlie pulled back, his eyes bright with excitement. “We’re going for dinner! Dad says you should come, too. Please, Mom?”
Lopened my mouth to make up an excuse. “Oh, sweetheart, I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
But before I could finish, he started tugging at my hand, his face crumpling in disappointment. “Please, Mom. You should come with us. It’s just one
dinner.”
I glanced up at Aragon, who was watching the scene with a trumplant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He looked as if he knew exactly what was going on in my head and was relishing every second of it.
I sighed. There was no way I could refuse without breaking Charlie’s heart. “Alright, alright,” I said, letting out a defeated breath. “Ill come.”
Charlie’s face lit up instancy, and he hugged me again, squeezing me tight. “Thank you, Mom! Ill be fun, you’ll see,
Aragon gave a slight nod, and I caught the satisfied gleam in his eyes. I could only manage a forced smile in return.
When Churdie ran ahead of us, I turned to glare at Aragon, “You put hún up tôxhis, didn’t you?”
He used his hands in surrender, “No, I didn’t. He wanted you with him.”
“Why do I find it hard to believe?”
“I know it look: fishy but I promise you, I wouldn’t use your child to further my desire”
Somehow, those words calmed me and I settled down. It didn’t erase the bad feeling I had but it made me feel slightly better. I looked up at him to find him watching me with concern on his face.
“You okay!” he asked.
I nodded and grabbed my bag. “Yeah, I am good.”
As we pulled up to the restaurant, Charlie chartered on about his day, telling me every detail of school and how much fun he’d had with Aragon on the ride over. I kept glaring at Aragon, who sat silently, listening with a subtle smile. It was startling how comfortable he seemed, like he belonged there, part of this little family outing.
And I hated that a part of me wanted it.
Once we were seated, Qurlie wasted no time flipping through the menu, his face ligluting up at each option. “Mama, can I have pizza?” he asked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.
Tunded shly. “Of course, honey Whatever you want,
“Charlie” Aragon said Iraning in with a grin. “You don’t want to try something new! Maybe pasta!”
Charlie brow furrowed in deepconcentration, as if weighing the options carefully. “Hmm.maybe both”
Aragon laughed, and I felt the sound resonate somewhere deep inside me, stirring something I wasn’t ready to confront. “I think we can manage
When the water arrived, we placed our orders, and soon enough. Charlie was busily coloring on the paper placemat the restaurant had given him. For a few moments, there was an almost peaceful silence, broken only by the sound of crayons scratching on paper.
Tcould feel Aragon’s gaze on me, but I refused to look up. I didn’t want to give him the
Chapter 71
“No,” he finally said. “How’s work?”
“Busy, as always,” I replied shortly, keeping my tone polite lait distant. “Bif I’m managing.”
He nodded, watching me with an unreadable expression “You’ve always been good at that. Managing things.”
I hit the inside of my cheek, not wanting to get drawn into whatever game he was playing. “I do my best.”
with both of us.”
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, looking almost relaxed. “Charlie’s really happy to be spending
time
I glanced down at Charlie, who was focused intently on his drawing, oblivious to the tension between his parents. A pang of guilt twisted in my chest. “I know,” I said quietly, brushing a stray piece of hair behind my car. “That’s all I want for him to be happy.”
Aragon’s eyes softened for a brief moment, and he nodded. “Me too. I can’t believe I missed out because I was so
“It’s too late to regret. Things happen for a reason and 1 am at peace with that,”
A sad look crossed his eyes but he nodded, “Yeah, you are right.I want him to know I’m here for him.”
so stupid.”
Before I could respond, Charlie looked up, holding his placemat in front of him proudly. “Look! I drew all of us!” He pointed to each stick figure, grinning. “That’s me, and that’s Mom, and that’s Dail
A sharp pain hit me in the center of my chest and I gulped. I quickly met Aragon’s eyes who looked slightly panicked because he was frozen like a
leer in headlights,
Charlie was still blinking at me with those expectant eyes.
forced a smile, feeling the weight of his innocent drawing hit me harder than it should have. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.”
Charlie beamed, clearly pleased with himself, “Can we long it up at home, Mom!”
I hesitated, glancing briefly at Aragon. “Of course, honey, We’ll find a nice spot for it.”
Our food arrived, and for a little while, things felt normal, Charlie laughed as he tried to eat a piece of pizza bigger than his face, and Aragon playfully ruffled his hair, laughing when Charlie made a face.
I found myself relaxing just the slightest bit. I had to admit, Aragon was good with Charlie. Maybe even better than I’d expected. I was worried about nothing and I was being paranoid.
“Are you going to honor my invitation and let me take you out for lunch?” Aragon leaned in to tell me
“This isn’t enough for you?” I asked as I motioned around the table.
“No, Charlie did this. I want it to be just the two of us. Like a date, and I know you said you wanted me to get to know Charlie first. I am doing that, so please let me take you out,”
“I will think about it,” † jutted my
chin.
He smiled to himself, that was as good of an answer.
When we finished and were getting ready to leave, Aragon looked at ine, his eyes serious. “Thank you for letting me have this, being a father is the best feeling I have ever had to feel.
I nodded, feeling an unexpected lump in my throat. “I’m glad you both had a gond time.”
As we walked to the car, Charlie reached up, slipping his small hand into mine. “Mom, can we do this again?”
I glanced down at him, his hopeful eyes shining, and then looked over at Aragon, who was watching us with an unreadable expression. “We’ll see, tweetheart,” I murmured, squeezing his hand gently. “We’ll see.”
The ride home wih quiet, with Charlie nodding off in the back seat, a pesceful smile on his face. When we finally pulled up to the house, Aragon helped me carry him inside, laying him gently on his bed.
After fucking him in, I walked Aragon to the door, feeling an unconfortable silence settle between in.
Aragon beurated, has gaze lingering on ine. “Goodnight,” he replied.
And then he was gone, and I was left standing in the doorway with a smile on my face
