Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Four

Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Four
Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Four

“Like, girl, I was shocked,” Tia said, pacing around the small living room with her phone pressed to her ear.

“He just showed up in Barbados, Natasha. I don’t even know how he managed to locate us.”

“Wait Adam came there? Seriously?” Natasha asked in disbelief.

“Yes,” Tia said, her voice low. “He found us at the beach. i and Andy spent the night at his place .”

“oh my God really tia ?” Natasha teased jokingly.

“It wasn’t like that,” Tia said quickly. “It was late, and Andy was asleep. my place was far and Andy I didn't want any of us to fall sick.”

Natasha chuckled softly. “You still sound defensive. I know you, Tia. You still care.”

Tia sighed and sat down. “It’s not that easy, Nat. He broke me, remember? I was pregnant, confused, and all those women… those videos…”

“I get it, girl,” Natasha said gently. “But I’ve seen Adam. He’s not the same man he was. He really looks sorry.”
“Maybe,” Tia said. “But sorry doesn’t fix pain.”

“Tia, I know you,” Natasha continued. “You’ve built walls so high even love can’t climb through. But maybe, just maybe, Andy deserves that chance to have both his parents. Even if you don’t go back for Adam, at least go for your son.”

Tia didn’t answer at first. She could hear Andy humming from the kitchen, playing with his toy car.

“I want him to grow up with love,” she whispered finally. “Real love, Nat. The kind I never had.”

“Then do it for that reason,” Natasha said softly. “Not for Adam. For Andy.”

Tia smiled faintly. “Okay, girl… thanks. I think I’ve decided.”
“Good,” Natasha said. “Whatever happens, you know I got you.”
They both laughed lightly before hanging up.

\---

After the call, Tia sat quietly, her phone still in her hand. The sound of waves outside the cottage filled the silence. Barbados was peaceful, but tonight it felt too quiet — almost lonely.

She tried to keep herself busy. She folded Andy’s tiny clothes, ironed a few dresses, then moved to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for tomorrow. Andy sat by the table, eating bread and milk.

“Mommy, Daddy likes this too,” Andy said suddenly, crumbs on his lips.

Tia froze for a second. “He told you that?”
“Yeah,” Andy said, smiling. “He said he used to eat bread and milk when he was small like me.”

Her heart melted, but she looked away quickly. “Eat up, baby,” she said, forcing a small smile.

She cleaned the table, her mind far away. Every little thing reminded her of Adam — his voice, his laugh, how he brushed Andy’s curls the night before. Even the way he said ‘son’ kept echoing in her head.

“Mommy, are you okay?” Andy asked, tilting his head.

“Yes, baby,” she said, stroking his hair. “Mommy’s fine.”

\---

Later that night, after Andy had fallen asleep, Tia sat on the edge of her bed. The room was dim, quiet except for the sound of the ceiling fan turning slowly.

Her eyes fell on the chair near the wardrobe — and there it was.

The pant Adam had returned to her day before yesterday. Folded neatly, like it meant something.

She reached for it slowly. Her hand trembled.

She couldn’t help but smile. It was embarrassing, but also emotional.

He could have thrown it away or teased her about it, but he didn’t. He’d brought it back. That simple gesture felt more intimate than anything else.

She sighed and placed it back down.
He hadn’t come today.

She’d waited all morning, pretending she wasn’t expecting him, but she was.
Now the silence in the room made her miss him in a way she didn’t want to admit.

She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath.

Maybe Natasha’s right, she thought. Maybe I should stop running i should do this for Andy.

She looked at the phone on her table. Her chest tightened a little.

It had been years since she called his number.
She didn’t even know if he still used the same line.

But tonight, something inside her told her to try.

\---

She picked up her phone, scrolled through her contacts — the name Adam Black still there. She stared at it for a long moment before pressing call.

Her heart raced. She almost ended it before it connected, but then—
“Hello?” His voice came through, deep and warm, just like she remembered.

For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
There was only the sound of quiet breathing on both ends.

“Tia?” he said softly.
She swallowed hard. “I just wanted to tell you something,” she said, trying to sound calm.
“Go on,” he said, his tone gentle.

“I’ve… I’ve decided to go along,” she said.

There was a short silence before his voice came again, this time lighter, full of life.
“You mean it?”

“Yes,” she said. “For Andy’s sake.”

He exhaled — it almost sounded like relief. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“It’s not about us, ,” she said, though her voice shook slightly. “It’s for our Andy. He deserves fatherly love too.”

“I understand,” he said. “But still… thank you.”
She could almost feel him smiling through the phone.

“Goodnight" she said.

“Goodnight, Tia,” he replied softly.

\---

After she hung up, Tia sat there for a long time, staring at nothing.

The sound of rain started outside, gentle against the windows. She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes, feeling both heavy and light at the same time.

Maybe this was a beginning. Not a perfect one — but a chance to heal, to start over, even if just for their son.

And somewhere deep down, even if she wouldn’t admit it aloud, a small part of her was happy to be coming back to New York.
With him.