Chapter 174 Hope is Enough

Chapter 174 Hope is Enough
I was feeding Kendrick when the message arrived.

Afternoon sunlight spilled through the living room windows, wrapping the room in a warm golden haze. Kendrick sat nestled in my lap, making soft, happy coos as his tiny fingers grabbed at mine.

Three months ago, I had believed I’d lost him forever.

Now he was here—warm, safe, and mine. The thought still stole my breath sometimes.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I nearly ignored it. Most notifications these days were gossip blogs or cruel strangers offering opinions on my shattered life.

But something tugged at me. I reached for it.

Unknown Number.

My stomach clenched. For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

Aaron noticed from across the room. “What is it?”

I swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

I opened the message and froze.

I’m sorry.

Nothing more. No threats. No games. Just two raw words.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I knew instantly it was her.

Zara.

Aaron crossed the room in seconds, concern etched across his face. “What happened?”

Wordlessly, I handed him the phone. His eyes scanned the screen. His expression shifted—not to anger, but to a deep, quiet sadness that settled in the lines around his eyes.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Kendrick babbled happily between us, blissfully unaware of the storms that had nearly torn his world apart.

Aaron exhaled slowly. “Do you think it’s really her?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

The certainty surprised me. For the first time in months, the message felt genuine—no hidden manipulation, no trap. Just regret.

Aaron sat beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. Neither of us pulled away.

“Police found the motel this morning,” he said quietly. “They were too late.”

Of course they were. Zara had always known how to disappear.

The news should have sparked anger. Instead, a heavy exhaustion settled over me. For years, our relationship had been nothing but battle—competition, resentment, secrets, and pain. And now… she was simply gone.

I stared at the message again. I’m sorry.

My eyes stung. Aaron noticed immediately.

“You okay?”

A sad, soft laugh escaped me. “I don’t know.”

That was the truth. Part of me would always hate her for what she’d done—kidnapping my child, destroying my reputation, trying to ruin my life. But another part remembered the big sis who used to braid my hair, the teenager who stole my clothes, the sister who once shared all my secrets. Before Aaron. Before jealousy. Before Dad died.

Aaron watched me carefully. “You still love her.”

I looked away, the admission aching in my chest. “She’s my sister.”

He nodded, as if that simple truth explained everything. Maybe it did.

Silence fell over us—comfortable and gentle, the kind earned only by those who had survived hell together.

Kendrick yawned dramatically, stretching in my lap. Aaron chuckled, the first real laugh I’d heard from him in days. “He’s definitely your son.”

I raised an eyebrow, smiling despite myself. “My son?”

“Look at that attitude.” Aaron reached over and gently tickled Kendrick’s belly. The baby erupted into bright, infectious giggles.

My chest warmed, not with pain this time, but with something tender and right. These moments felt natural. Like pieces finally clicking into place.

Aaron looked up and caught me staring. The smile faded from his lips. The air between us shifted—charged, intimate. Neither of us looked away.

For so long, something had always stood between us: Zara, the scandal, guilt, fear, the eyes of the world. But now?

Nothing.

Just us.

“Sarah.” The way he said my name sent my heartbeat stumbling.

“Yeah?” I whispered.

His eyes searched mine—careful, hopeful, a little terrified. “I meant what I said.”

I already knew, but I still asked. “About what?”

“Choosing you.” His voice softened. “I know I’ve made mistakes. But if I have to spend the rest of my life making up for them… I will.”

Emotion tightened my throat. Aaron had never been a man who spoke easily about feelings. That made every word land heavier.

“I don’t need perfection anymore, Sarah. I just need honesty.”

The truth sat between us, simple and unavoidable.

I loved him. I had for years. Maybe I always would.

And for the first time in a very long time, that truth didn’t scare me.

Tears blurred my vision. Aaron’s face softened with worry. “Hey…”

I laughed through the tears. The sound surprised us both. Slowly, a matching smile spread across his face, and everything felt lighter. Not fixed. Not perfect. Just… lighter.

Maybe healing wasn’t a single dramatic moment. Maybe it was this—one honest conversation, one quiet afternoon, one choice at a time.

Kendrick reached out and wrapped his tiny hand around Aaron’s finger, refusing to let go. We both looked down at the small, perfect grip.

Aaron’s eyes glistened with emotion. For a heartbeat, none of us moved.

In that quiet golden light, with my son safe between us and no more shadows standing in the way, I felt something I hadn’t in months.

Hope.

And for now, hope was enough.