Chapter 43
VERA'S POV
"I love you, Jack," I confessed, the words slipping out like a breath I’d been holding for years.
My heart felt weightless. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t hiding anymore. I had told him everything.
Jack didn’t flinch. He took my hand gently and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “I want you to understand something,” he said softly, his voice rich with emotion. “Your past doesn’t get to dictate your present. You’re not bound by it anymore. Let it go, Vera. Don’t let it ruin your future. What happened to you… it doesn’t change who you are to me. And I swear, I’ll never hurt you like he did.”
I bit back the tears that pricked behind my eyes. “I’m sorry I kept it from you,” I whispered. “It’s not because I don’t trust you, I do. I was scared. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t ready to say it all out loud.”
“You don’t have to explain, Vera,” Jack said, pulling me closer. I leaned into his chest and let his warmth settle the restlessness inside me.
“I’ll find your son,” he promised. “And when he comes back, he’ll have a younger brother.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “He’s older than Tim,” I corrected gently. “So when he finally returns, he’ll have younger brothers—plural.”
Almost as if summoned by our conversation, we heard Tim call out Jack’s name from downstairs.
Jack chuckled. “Speak of the devil.”
We headed downstairs together and found Tim standing with Mrs. Briggs near the front door.
“Miss Vera!” she greeted, pulling me into a hug. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“I’m doing fine,” I replied, smiling warmly. “You look a bit drained, though. Is your family doing better than you?”
She let out a tired laugh. “Yes, thankfully. Much better than I am. But I had to disobey your orders, sir,” she added, glancing at Jack. “Tim couldn’t stay. He was too restless. He wanted to come home.”
“It’s okay,” Jack replied with a nod.
I crouched in front of Tim and pecked him on the cheek. “How was your night at your aunt’s house, sweetheart?”
“Not bad,” he said with a small shrug. “But I’m thirsty. I want water.”
“I’ll get it for you,” I said, already making my way toward the kitchen before Jack could protest.
But as I pushed open the kitchen door, my steps froze. Monica was passed out across the dining table, her limbs splayed awkwardly and her dress bunched up around her thighs. Her makeup was smeared, and her hair looked like it hadn’t seen a brush in days.
I quickly turned and waved for Jack to come. Unfortunately, Mrs. Briggs and Tim followed him.
They all stopped in their tracks, stunned by the sight. I might’ve laughed at the ridiculousness of it, if she weren’t Tim’s mother. If it didn’t hurt so much to see the disappointment flicker in the little boy’s eyes. He didn’t say anything, but it was written all over his face.
Mrs. Briggs cleared her throat. “Mmm. I should be heading to the office now. I guess I’ll see you at work tomorrow?”
“Probably,” Jack muttered, still staring at Monica’s unconscious form.
She gave us one last sympathetic glance and let herself out quietly.
I turned to Tim and knelt in front of him again. “You see, sweetheart… your mom’s just exhausted.”
“She’s drunk,” Tim whispered, looking down. “Some kids at school told me what it means when people look like that. Miss Vera, can’t you be my mom instead?”
His voice was so soft, so sincere, it pierced straight through me.
I reached out and held his little face in my hands. “From today onward, I’ll be your mom,” I told him. “And guess what?”
Jack moved to stand behind me, placing a hand gently on my shoulder.
Tim’s eyes lit up. “You’re going to marry my dad?”
Jack’s hand slipped off my shoulder in surprise. I turned and saw the stunned look on his face, clearly, that idea had never crossed his mind. It hadn’t really crossed mine either. We were still figuring this out. But Tim? He already saw us as a family.
“Tim…” Jack began, but I shook my head slightly, stopping him.
“Don’t worry,” I said gently. “We’ll get there someday. And you’ll have a younger sibling soon.”
Tim’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “You’re going to make a baby? Can I tell my friends? Can I introduce you to them at my birthday party this Christmas?”
I laughed and pulled him into a warm hug. “Anything you want, darling.”
He giggled and ran straight into Jack’s arms for a second hug.
Then came a slurred voice, breaking the peace.
“Who the fk is making all that noise?!”
We all turned to see Monica pushing herself off the table. Her eyes were bloodshot, her expression sour. She looked at us with confusion and irritation.
“What is this? You're all sneaking around and spying on me while I sleep?” she muttered, swaying on her feet.
“I think you should go to your room and sleep this off. This is the kitchen, Monica,” Jack said coldly.
“You don’t tell me where to sleep! This whole fking place is uncomfortable!” she snapped, staggering toward the door.
Tim suddenly stepped forward, his voice quiet but firm. “I have a new mom now. Can’t you just leave? I don’t want to have terrible dreams anymore!”
Monica froze and turned to face him, her eyes narrowing.
“So now you’re teaching my son to disrespect me?” she hissed at me. “Let me remind you, no matter what you do, I gave birth to him. He’s my blood. And my blood… is dark.”
I sighed, not sure she heard herself talking.
“You’re unbelievable,” I said sharply. “No one is teaching him anything. You’re just not doing your part as a mother. That’s not my fault.”
Monica smiled wickedly, then pointed at me. “Enjoy your little fairy tale while it lasts. But I’ll hit you hard when you least expect it. Watch your back.”
With that, she staggered out of the kitchen.
Jack’s jaw tightened. “She’s getting on my last nerves. I swear, Vera, I might throw her out of this house for good.”
“Don’t let her ruin this moment,” I said, placing a hand on his arm. “She’s just ranting, don’t give her the power she wants.”
Then I turned back to Tim. “Now let me get that water for you, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Miss… Mom,” he said shyly.
That one word made all the trouble and ugliness melt away. For Tim, I was already home.