Logan

Logan
Logan
After the interview, I feel more restless than I have in a long time.
It’s as if my heart is being stabbed over and over again, and the pain is unbearable.
My mind keeps going back to my encounter with Nadine this morning. Seeing her, knowing that someone else is making her smile, enough for even Shawn to notice, cuts deeper than I expected.
I know I’ve given her space. I haven’t pushed or pried into her private life the way I could have.
But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching over her from a distance.
I had security discreetly installed around her home and stationed guards nearby, just in case. Kyle is still out there, I can’t take any chances with her safety.
The interview went exactly as planned. I said what I needed to say, hoping it would be enough to plant a seed of change.
But knowing Nadine, she’s not the type to sit around watching TV. She probably didn’t even see it. I doubt she knows that I just poured my heart out on live television.
“To Petals and Bloom,” I say to my driver, needing to see her, even if just for a moment.
“Yes, boss,” Ashton responds as he smoothly turns the car in that direction.
The rain starts pouring as we drive, heavy drops splattering against the windshield.
I planned to go inside and see her in person, to gauge her reaction, to feel if there was still something left between us. But just as we arrive, luck seems to be on my side.
I spot her stepping out of the building, pausing for a moment before heading back inside—probably to grab her umbrella. My chest tightens at the sight of her. Even in the rain, she looks breathtaking.
Without thinking, I step out of the car, the cold rain drenching me instantly. I don’t care. I just need to talk to her.
I notice the way her breath hitches the moment she sees me.
For a brief second, I gathered all the courage I had. I told her everything in my mind to lay my heart bare. But she shatters my world with simple words.
"Please go home."
She just turns and walks away, leaving me standing there in the rain, drenched and defeated.
What’s left of my heart breaks into a million pieces as I watch her get into her car.
A desperate part of me hopes she’ll change her mind. Maybe she’ll step back out, run to me, give me a chance.
But I’m wrong.
She just drives away, leaving me standing there like a fool.
The rain continues to pour, soaking me to the bone, but I don’t care. The street is empty—thankfully, no one is around to witness my humiliation. I let out a sharp breath, my chest tightening with pain.
I rise to my feet, kicking a loose rock in annoyance before making my way back to the car. I don’t even care that my soaked clothes will ruin the seat.
“To the house, please,” I say to Ashton as I slide into the backseat. My thoughts are a chaotic mess.
I feel my ego bruised, but I can’t let it show.
Instead, I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head at my stupidity. What was I even thinking?
Did I believe she’d just forgive me because I stood in the rain like some lovesick fool? That a few heartfelt words would erase everything I put her through?
Baby steps, Logan. I murmur the words to myself.
Ashton glances at me through the rearview mirror.
“Everything alright, sir?”
I force a smile, but it feels foreign—even to me.
“Perfectly fine,” I lied.
But deep down, I know I’m anything but fine.
Nadine
My eyes are puffy as I make my way to pick up my son. Logan has a way of breaking every dam inside me, making all the emotions rush to the surface.
A part of me wants to turn around, run back to him, and tell him that everything will be okay.
But I can’t.
I lost the will to do that a long time ago.
As I pull up to Shawn’s school, I catch my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are swollen, and the redness is still visible despite my efforts to hold back the tears.
Sighing, I grab a tissue from my bag and dab my face, trying to make myself look as normal as possible.
Shawn is too observant for his age. He’ll know I’ve been crying the second he looks at me, and I don’t want him to worry.
Taking a deep breath, I step out of the car and walk inside.
“Excuse me, where can I find the restroom?” I asked one of the staff members.
“Down the hall, to the left,” she replies kindly.
“Thank you.”
I follow her directions and find the restroom, stepping inside quickly. Moving to the sink, I turn on the faucet and splash cool water on my face.
The sensation is refreshing, and for a brief moment, I feel a little lighter. I reach into my bag for a small towel and gently pat my face dry, taking another deep breath.
Satisfied with how I look, I make my way out of the restroom and head toward where Shawn’s teacher usually brings the kids out to meet their parents.
Parents aren’t allowed inside the classroom, so I wait just outside.
A moment later, my little boy comes running toward me, his face lights up with excitement.
“There’s my favorite boy!” I say, scooping him into my arms.
The second he wraps his arms around my neck, all my anxiety melts away. This right here is what matters. My son, my heart.
But then, as he pulls back slightly, his small hands cup my cheeks, and he stares straight into my eyes.
I know that look.
He sees something is off.
I quickly put on my best smile, to ease any worries he might have. Before he can ask anything, I gently place him back on the ground, ruffling his hair.
"Come on, buddy. Let’s go home."
He didn’t say anything right away, but I could feel his eyes still on me like he was trying to figure out the words to say.
I just hope he doesn’t ask. Because I don’t know if I have the strength to lie to him.
We make our way to the car, but Shawn is unusually quiet.
I glance at him through the rearview mirror. “How was your first day at school? I hope you had fun.”
“Yes, Mum, I did,” he replies, with a light voice as his eyes watch me carefully. “I made new friends.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “That’s great, sweetheart. I’m glad you’re making friends.”
It’s always been just me and my boy, surrounded mostly by adults. The thought of him finally having kids his age to talk to makes my heart swell with relief.
But then, he looks at me again. His big, curious eyes scan my face with the kind of intensity that makes my breath hitch.
“Did someone make you cry?” he asks, his little brow furrowing in concern. There’s an edge to his tone that catches me off guard like he’s ready to go to battle for me.
I swallow hard and force a smile. “I’m fine, Shawn. You get me?” My voice is as steady as I can make it, but even I can hear the slight tremor.
His eyes stay on me for another moment.
But before I can breathe a sigh of relief, he speaks again.
“Is it him?”
My heart stumbles in my chest.
I snap my gaze to him sharply, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.
The words are stuck in my throat.
If by him he means Logan… then I don’t know how to answer.