Chapter 84 Uninvited Claims
A week can change everything.
One week ago, I thought I was going to lose my child. Today, Mila is asleep in her crib, cheeks full, breathing steady, like she never scared the life out of me in the first place. The doctors discharged her yesterday, smiling like it had all been routine.
It wasn’t.
Nothing about my life is routine anymore.
I stood by the window, rocking her gently, watching sunlight spill across the living room. My house still smelled new. Fresh paint. Baby lotion. A future I built with my own hands because I had no other choice.
My phone buzzed.
I already knew who it was before I picked it up.
Damian.
I stared at the screen for a long moment before opening the message.
What are we going to do about all this?
You can’t keep my daughter away from me, Elena. It’s my right.
My chest tightened. Not because of fear. Because of audacity.
Your right.
I reread the message once. Twice. Then I locked my phone and set it face down on the table.
I didn’t reply.
I wasn’t ready to give him access to my peace. Or my child. Or my life.
Mila stirred, making a small sound in her sleep, and I kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry,” I whispered. “Mama’s got you.”
A knock came at the door.
I frowned. Angie was in the kitchen, humming to herself. Julian hadn’t said he was coming. Damian wouldn’t dare show up unannounced.
I carefully placed Mila back in her crib and went to the door.
When I opened it, my eyebrows lifted before I could stop them.
Rachael.
Standing there like we were old friends. Hair perfect. Makeup soft. Smile polite and fake.
“Uhmm, hi, Elena,” she said brightly. “How are you? I hope you’re good.”
I stared at her for a second, then stepped aside just enough to block the doorway with my body. “I’m fine,” I said. “What do you want?”
She laughed awkwardly, waving her hand. “I just wanted to talk. It won’t take long.”
Against my better judgment, I sighed and let her in.
She walked into my living room, eyes roaming like she was taking inventory. New couch. Baby things. Calm space.
“I came to see you actually,” she said, clasping her hands together. “I know you saw me the other night at the club with that guy.”
Ah. There it was.
“The thing is,” she continued quickly, “I was really drunk. I didn’t know what I was doing. I couldn’t even recognize anyone. In fact, I thought I was kissing Damian.”
I laughed.
Loud. Sharp. From my chest.
She flinched.
“Oh boy,” I said, wiping my eyes. “Oh yeah, yeah, Rachael. You couldn’t recognize anyone, but you recognized me and ran the moment you saw me.”
She opened her mouth.
“Please,” I continued, shaking my head. “That story is silly. And honestly? I don’t care about you enough to tell your husband about your little rendezvous. So relax.”
Her shoulders dropped instantly.
“Oh my God, thank you so much, Elena,” she said, rushing forward to hug me.
I didn’t hug her back.
She smelled like expensive perfume and desperation.
“Thank you,” she repeated, already stepping away. “Really.”
Then she left.
I closed the door and leaned my forehead against it for a second.
“Pathetic,” Angie said from behind me.
I turned. She was standing with her arms crossed, unimpressed.
“I wonder what he sees in her,” she added. Then she shrugged. “Anyway. Potato, potato.”
I laughed softly despite myself.
The afternoon passed quietly. Mila fed. Slept. Woke. Smiled at me like I was her whole world.
Then another knock came.
This one felt different.
When I opened the door, Julian stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes uncertain.
“I’m sorry for showing up without calling,” he said gently. “I just… I want us to talk.”
I stepped aside. “Come in.”
We sat on opposite ends of the couch. The silence between us was heavy but not uncomfortable.
“Now that Damian is back,” Julian began carefully, “where does that leave us?”
I swallowed.
“Because I really like you,” he continued. “But I won’t want to be any kind of disturbance. I won’t fight for space that isn’t mine.”
I looked at him—really looked at him. Kind eyes. Honest posture. No manipulation. No games.
“Julian,” I said softly, “Damian’s presence doesn’t change anything.”
He searched my face. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Little did I know how wrong I was.
“Damian isn’t coming into my life,” I continued. “He didn’t react positively when I told him I was pregnant. So now, he can’t suddenly claim my child.”
Julian nodded slowly. “I just needed to hear that.”
After he left, I sat alone on the couch, Mila sleeping nearby, the house quiet again. I could see the same nose Damian has just by looking at her. The same lips, and it reminded me more of that silly man. Did I say man?
Ugh, boy, I meant.
My phone buzzed once more.
Damian.
I didn’t unlock my phone to see what the message was about, because I already knew.
He has a wife, don’t they have kids of their own or something? Why can’t he just leave my child and I alone.
I told myself I was done. That I was strong. That I had chosen peace.
But deep down, something shifted.
Because no matter how much I wanted to believe it…
Damian had already stepped back into my life.
And this time, he wasn’t leaving quietly.
“You better stop having ideas”, Angie said to me.
“I can see that you still like Damian, no matter how hard you try to hide it.”
“I do NOT like Damian Cross, that crazy man ruined me and now, I’ll make sure he’s out of my life for good.” I said.
Angie laughed and said “I will be here for the tea” as she sipped her cup of tea literally.