Chapter 341: A Way Out

Kayla’s POV

The restaurant smelled like garlic bread and fresh coffee, but all I could taste was bile as we stopped in front of their table.

Caleb wasn’t just with any random person. He was with a woman.

Late twenties, long brunette hair cascading down her back in perfect waves, wearing a cream Chanel blazer that probably cost more than my bakery’s monthly rent.

Gold hoops the size of bracelets, a limited-edition Hermès bag slung over her chair like a trophy, and that exact high-school-bully smirk…the kind that says “I’ll smile while I destroy you.”

She looked like the girl who’d trip you in the hallway just to watch your books scatter, then post about it later with a heart emoji.

I suddenly felt every inch of my simple-mom uniform. No makeup, hair in a plain bun, nails short and unpolished because who has time when you’re up at dawn kneading dough so your kid doesn’t go hungry?

Caleb, on the other hand, looked like the universe had handed him the cheat code…navy suit tailored to perfection, hair tousled just right, and this stunning girl on his arm like a shiny accessory.

Envy hit me so hard my throat tightened. He got to move on, live easy, while I scraped by with my son.

Holly leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “We’ve got this, Kay. I’m right beside you. Breathe.”

Her voice grounded me. I nodded once, and she took my hand, squeezing hard as she guided us forward like we were walking into a cage fight.

Caleb and the woman stood up at the same time, flashing these identical, rehearsed smiles. Like they’d practiced them in the mirror that morning.

Maybe he really does want to reason with me, I thought. Apologize. Ask to see my son a little. Beg for forgiveness. Even if he did, I wasn’t giving him an inch. Not after everything.

“Kayla,” Caleb said smoothly, voice all polished and fake-friendly. “Holly. Thanks for coming…this really means a lot to me. This is my wife, Vera.”

Wife. The word landed like a slap. Disgust rolled through me so thick I almost gagged.

This was the same guy who’d left me pregnant in college, denied the baby was his, and walked away like I was trash.

I’d dropped out of school, lost every dream I had, survived on ramen and prayers while raising Caden alone. And here he was…happily married, looking like a damn magazine ad.

The unfairness burned.

Before we could even sit or acknowledge his introduction, Holly tilted her head at Caleb, all sugar-sweet. “Your wife huh. Hey, can you lean in a little closer? I want to tell you something.”

The asshole actually did it, that smug little tilt of his head. I felt my lips twitch because I knew exactly what was coming.

Smack.

Holly’s hand cracked across his cheek so loud half the restaurant glanced over. Caleb’s head snapped sideways. Vera gasped, eyes wide with barely-restrained fury, but they both clamped it down fast…like they were determined not to let the real ugly show.

Caleb rubbed his jaw, forcing a laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “Holly Rodriguez. I guess you two are still thick as thieves.”

Holly smiled like a shark. “And I guess you’re still the same heartless douchebag. Some things never change huh.”

I cleared my throat, yanked Holly down into the seat beside me, and fixed Caleb with a flat stare. “Get on with it and make it fast. I’ve got other engagements.”

He lowered himself slowly, his wife following like a matching accessory. “Is it with the man from the mall yesterday?” he asked, voice casual but his eyes sharp.

I wasn’t even surprised he’d been stalking me. “That has nothing to do with you.”

Caleb cleared his throat, trying to sound sincere. “Look, I apologize for approaching this the wrong way. That was stupid of me. Back then, I was young, dumb, reckless when I abandoned you. I should’ve been there when you needed me—”

“And heartless,” Holly cut in, loud enough for the next table to hear. “And a coward. And nothing short of a big fat loser.”

Did he just say he was young back then? What about me?!

Caleb exhaled through his nose like he was counting to ten. Vera placed a perfectly manicured hand over his, then looked straight at Holly. “I’d prefer if this third party stepped aside so we can have a proper conversation as people who have something in common.”

Before Holly could unload, I leaned forward, voice ice-cold. “Don’t sit there and lecture me about third parties when both of you are wasting my time. If anyone should leave, it should be you.”

Vera’s mouth opened, but Caleb squeezed her hand and she shut it.

“No point beating around the bush,” he said. “You already know why I’m here. I want my son. Vera… she’s infertile. There was an accident a couple months back on our way back from an event. I shouldn’t have been on the wheel that night…but I was and the accident…it kinda damaged her womb. And me…” He swallowed, looking almost human for a split second. “I can’t get anyone pregnant either. So…”

Holly clapped her hands once, sharp and sarcastic. “Oh my god, so you have the audacity to come claim the sperm you denied all those years ago because you ruined your dick? What kind of shameless asshole does that? You think you drop this sob story and we’ll just hand over our child like you deserve him?”

Caleb’s face twisted. “He’s still my son! My fucking son!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. My hand flew before I could think…slap…right across his other cheek. He started to snarl, “What the hell is wrong with—”

I didn’t let him finish. Slap. Harder this time. “Did you just say your son? Do you even understand what that word means? Are you stupid or shameless?”

Vera dropped to her knees right there beside the table, voice cracking. “Please, Kayla. You can give him to us. Besides, you can have other children. We can’t. We would’ve adopted, but Caleb’s inheritance… he only gets to take over the family fortune if he has his own biological heir. Otherwise it goes to his cousin.”

Holly burst out laughing and I joined her. I couldn't help myself. “Then congratulations to the cousin, because there is no way in hell whatever twisted thing you’re asking is happening,” Holly said coldly.

Caleb’s voice went low and dangerous. “We’re asking nicely out of respect. I wronged you…I abandoned you, denied the baby. But that’s the farthest we’ll go. Don’t push your luck. Either you agree peacefully to hand over my son so we can raise him as ours… or I sue you in court. I’m wealthy enough to give him everything. Let’s see who the judge favors.”

I laughed. Not a polite chuckle…a full, uncontrollable, tear-streaming laugh that made my shoulders shake.

He’s not here because he had some big realization and came to atone for his mistakes. He’s here because he needs my son as a ticket to daddy’s money.

The universe had a sick sense of humor. And here I was thinking he’s got it all figured out.

Holly was already raining fire. “You spineless, entitled, walking ruined sperm bank! You think you can just waltz back in after ghosting your own kid for years? You’re a pathetic excuse for a man, a deadbeat, a—”

I grabbed her hand, still wiping tears from laughing too hard.

I looked Caleb dead in the eyes. “For a second I actually thought the universe was partial. That you got to live easy while I suffered…labeling, mockery, scraping by as a teen mom with nothing. But the universe is kinder than I gave it credit for. You’re impotent? And your wife can’t bear children? Too bad. You don’t have a son with me… I really don’t know why you’re here, because my son…isn’t yours.”

Caleb’s face flushed red. “That’s impossible. I did a DNA test. I took his toothbrush from your old house weeks ago. It’s a match. The boy is mine.”

Holly jumped in before I could speak, voice loud and clear like she was laying down the law. “What Kayla is trying to say…let me break it down so you two dummies can understand…Caden already has a father. Kayla is married. The child is legally her husband’s too. There is no way you’re getting your filthy hands on him. You lost that chance the second you turned coward and ran. Fucking loser!”

Holly, what the hell are you doing? My brain screamed. What husband? Who the hell is she talking about?

I pinched her side hard, yanked her closer, and hissed in her ear, “What the hell are you talking about? When did I get married?”

She whispered back, fast and wicked, “We can easily hire someone to play the part. It’s not a big deal, Kay.”

Caleb cut in, voice rising. “That’s bullshit. I can’t let another man raise my son while I’m still alive—”

I was already cocking my arm back for the hardest slap yet when the restaurant door chimed open and our eyes met across the room.

Nathan.

And just like that, I saw the way out of this entire madness.