Chapter 101: Hundred and One

I woke up the next morning to silence. Jacob was already up, moving around the apartment with heavy footsteps that told me his anger from last night hadn’t cooled. My stomach churned. I’d barely slept, replaying the fight over and over. We had gone to bed fighting. I think this was the first time this had happened.

And I understood that he was mad and jealous and insecure. Declan and I had history that Jacob was well aware of. I understood why he was feeling like this.

But what he had asjed of me…how could I do that?

He wanted me to quit my job. To walk away from something I’d built, something that gave me purpose, just because Declan was there. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.

I felt like all these years, our relationship, the fact that we were engaged, everything was being overshadowed by the fact that maybe Jacob didn’t know me at all. And even if he did, maybe he didn’t care.

I moved carefully through the motions of getting dressed. I had so much to say, but I was silent, every word catching in my throat. Jacob barely looked at me as he buttoned his shirt, his jaw tight. The tension in the air was heavy and it made me want to throw up. I wanted to say something, anything that would soften him, but nothing came.

Just as I was reaching for my bag, my phone buzzed. It was the babysitter.

“Willow, I’m so sorry,” she said breathlessly. “My daughter’s sick. I can’t come today.”

Panic built inside my skin. “Are you sure? Even for a few hours?”

“No, I really can’t. I’m sorry.” She hung up before I could argue.

I turned slowly to Jacob, who was standing by the door, watching me. “The babysitter canceled.”

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. “So stay home. I’ll go to work.”

“I can’t,” I said quickly. “I have two meetings today and a report due.”

His mouth twisted, but before he could say anything else, I added, “I’ll just take Noah with me.”

Jacob blinked. “To work?”

“Yes. Just for the day. He’ll be fine.”

His disapproval was obvious, but he didn’t stop me. He just grabbed his keys and left without a word, the door slamming behind him.

My chest tightened, but I pushed it aside. I turned to Noah, who was sitting on the couch with his toy car clutched in his little hand. He looked at the door Jacob had just slammed. “Is Daddy mad about something?”

I smiled at him, shaking my head. “No, he was just in a rush.”

He formed his lips into a big o.

“Well, Noah. Miss Lacy cancelled. Looks like you’re coming with me today, buddy.”

He grinned. “Work with Mommy?”

“Yes, work with Mommy.” I kissed the top of his head, willing myself to stay calm.

At the office, the first hour went smoother than I’d feared. My colleagues cooed over Noah, slipping him chocolates and paper to doodle on. He sat on the floor near my desk, content with his toy car and the attention. My relief was

sharp, almost overwhelming.

I kept glancing toward the door, half-expecting Declan to walk in. But when I asked around, someone casually mentioned he wasn’t coming in today. My lungs deflated. Relief washed through me so powerfully that I had to sit back

in my chair.

Good. One less thing to worry about.

I didn’t know what I would do if Declan saw me and Noah. And if he found out that I was his mother, not his godmother.

The day passed in a blur of deadlines and interruptions. Every time I looked down at Noah, my heart tugged. So much guilt for bringing him here, guilt for how messy my life had become, guilt for how much I kept from him and Jacob both.

He was in his birth father’s office, so close to him, and neither of them knew.

By late afternoon, I was gathering my things, Noah sleepily leaning against my leg, when the door opened.

I froze.

Declan walked in, papers in hand, his usual confident stride filling the room like a shadow I couldn’t avoid.

Of course.

My heart lurched, panic squeezing my ribs. I hadn’t prepared for this. I wasn’t ready.

“Willow.” His eyes softened when he saw me, then flickered down, landing on Noah.

Noah straightened instantly, his usual shyness vanishing as he noticed Declan walk in. “Hi,” he said brightly.

Declan blinked, startled. “Hi there.” His gaze moved back to me, questioning, but I couldn’t meet it.

Noah tugged at my hand. “Mommy, who’s that?”

The word hit the air like a gunshot.

Mommy.

Declan froze. His eyes darted back to Noah, then to me, confusion, and something else, etched into his features.

I felt the blood drain from my face. My lie was unraveling right there in front of me. I’d told him Noah was my godson. That had been safer, easier, less complicated. I thought they’d never meet. He’d never find out. But now…

Fuck.

Noah, blissfully unaware, waved his toy car. “Do you like cars? This one goes fast.”

Declan crouched down, the papers forgotten in his hand. He smiled faintly. “I do like cars. That’s a nice one.”

Noah grinned, handing it over without hesitation. Declan rolled it across the floor and Noah giggled, chasing after it.

The sight did something to me. Something sharp and unsteady. Declan, with my son. Our son. Our son laughing, playing, completely at ease with him. It was too much.

I had to dig my nails into the palms of my hand to keep from screaming. Or worse, collapsing right here on the floor.

Declan finally stood, clearing his throat. His expression was composed, but his eyes lingered on mine with unspoken questions. Questions I couldn’t answer.

I forced a smile, too brittle, too thin. “Thanks for stopping by. I think we’re about to head home.”

“Of course,” he said quietly. He glanced at Noah one last time before tucking the papers under his arm and walking out, his back stiff, his movements deliberate.

I sank into my chair, my heart pounding so loud I was sure Noah could hear it.

On the way home, Noah chattered about the ‘nice man’ who played cars with him.

I forced myself to smile and nod, but inside, I was spiraling.

Declan knew. Maybe not everything, maybe not the full truth yet, but enough to sense that I’d lied. And knowing him, he wouldn’t let it go. He never had before.

I held Noah’s hand tighter, the weight of my choices pressing down on my heart, making it hard to breathe.