Chapter 28: Jealousy in her eyes

Chapter 28: Jealousy in her eyes

Renee’s POV 
“What’s that smell…” my nose flared.
My brow creased as the warm scent of fresh pancakes curled into my nostrils, coaxing me out of sleep. I blinked my eyes open and froze.
Andy stood in the doorway, a gentle smile on his face, carrying a tray that was still steaming.
He walked in slowly. “Good morning, baby.”
I pushed myself upright, still half shocked. “Good… morning.”
He set the tray beside me, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, voice low and warm. “Did you sleep well?”
“I… think so.” My voice wobbled. My mind was still catching up.
This… after last night?
After everything I’d confessed and the tension that followed?
“Baby…?” I swallowed, staring at him. “Why are you being so sweet this morning? Aren’t you… angry? At least a little?”
He reached for my hand but didn’t answer the question directly.
“Baby,” he said softly, "I made this specially for you, so eat up first. Then we’ll talk.”
I hesitated, still confused, still trying to understand him, but I picked up the fork. He stayed close, watching me like I was some fragile glass. When syrup smeared the corner of my mouth, he wiped it gently with his thumb.
“You’re such a messy eater,” he teased quietly.
Despite my nerves, a small, helpless smile tugged at my lips.
When I finished, he called for a maid and she collected the dish. Once the door closed, I finally turned to face him again.
“Andy, thanks for the breakfast..” he nodded with a smile and that was my cue to continue “i…”
He touched my lips lightly with his finger cutting me off. “Shush baby… you’ve said enough.. Let me talk.”
He took a breath.
“I heard every word you said last night. All of it. And I realized… I’ll never truly understand the depth of what you’ve been carrying. The scars. The betrayal. The pain. But I also realized that if you don’t deal with it in your own way, someday it’s going to bury us.”
My throat tightened.
“That’s why,” he continued softly, “I’ve decided to support you on this journey. Settle your past. Close that chapter your way. And then… hopefully by next year if you still want me, we’ll start planning our destination wedding.”
I stared at him, stunned. “R–really?”
He nodded.
I hugged him so tightly he let out a soft laugh. “How did I even get so lucky with a man like you?” I whispered, my voice trembling with relief and love.
He pulled back slightly. “But…” his face freigned serious “I do have conditions, baby.”
I smiled through the tears. “Of course you do.”
“One, I need to know where you are at all times. You can share your location with me if need be. I don’t trust Clark’s family.”
“Okay.”
“Two, when you need help, you tell me. No suffering in silence. Ever!”
I nodded.
“And lastly, no staying out late. Breakfast and dinner together every day, unless it’s an unavoidable emergency. This part is Non-negotiable.”
A warm laugh escaped me. “Deal.”
Just then my phone rang. 
Lydia.
I glanced at Andy. He nodded for me to answer.
I answered but this time on loudspeaker.
“Good morning Ms Collins, Rosie is almost ready for school. We’re waiting for you.”
“I’m on my way,” I replied.
When the call ended, Andy asked “Who’s Rosie?” 
I laid back before saying, “I wanted to get closer to Sarah so I figured that having a kid attend Lovie’s school would help me achieve that hence I found Amara, her husband was brutal to her and her two years old, I got them out and enrolled Rosie into Lovie’s kindergarten school It’ll help me plant seeds of discord into Clark’s marriage… without giving away my identity’s.”
Andy nodded thoughtfully. “Then I’ll come with you. Us showing up together will make Sarah even more jealous. My guess is Clark barely participates in anything about Lovie. It will create tension faster”
I grinned. “Baby… You’re a genius.”
“A handsome one at that,” he added smugly.
I shoved him lightly, laughing. “Come on, baby. We need to get ready before I drag you back into this bed.”
He caught my wrist. “You say that like it’s a threat.”
I rolled my eyes and pulled him toward the bathroom.
For the first time in a long time, I felt my lungs expand without pain.
Without heaviness.
I felt… alive.

An hour later, Andy and I arrived at Rosie’s house. The door flew open before I could knock, and Rosie dashed straight into my arms.
“Auntie Renee!”
I hugged her tightly, then gently turned her toward Andy. “Sweetheart, how was your trip?” 
“Fine aunty..” her gaze lingered in Andy who held his smile “by the way, this is uncle Andy.”
She blinked at him shyly. “Hi…”
“Hi, Rosie,” he said, crouching to her level. “You’re really as beautiful as your aunt Renee explained.”
Her mouth twitched into a smile.
Before they bonded too quickly, I stepped aside. “Sunshine, let me talk to your mummy for a second okay?”
She nodded, holding her bracelets. As I moved toward Amara, I heard Andy whisper dramatically, “Are those bravery shoes? Because only very brave girls wear sparkly pink sandals.”
Rosie giggled… just like that.
Amara handed me a list. “Snacks and extra clothes would help,” she said, but my attention drifted back.
Rosie was dragging Andy toward her tiny garden patch, proudly showing him her tomatoes while he listened like she was giving a TED Talk. They looked… natural together. Too natural.
And suddenly, the fear returned.
Would he stay this patient, this gentle, years from now… even without a child of his own?
Would he still choose me?
He looked up and caught the sadness I didn’t hide fast enough. I smiled and walked over to them.
“Rosie,” he called softly, “go wait for us in the car.”
“Okay!” she chirped, running off.
He approached me. “Baby… what’s wrong?”
I tried to shake my head, but the words came out small. “Andy… are you sure you want to marry someone who can’t give you kids?”
His expression softened instantly. He cupped my face. “Renee. I love you. Not kids you may or may not have. You. If we want children someday, we’ll adopt. If not, we’ll still be a family. I’m not leaving.”
A tear slipped out; he caught it with his thumb. “You hear me?”
I nodded into his palms. He kissed my forehead. “Good. Now come on, let's get Rosie to school.”

We arrived at Rosie’s school, where she hopped out and grabbed Andy’s finger like they’d known each other for years. My heart tugged …in a good way this time.
Up ahead, I saw Sarah standing with Rosie’s teacher. She had cards in hand, must be the play date invite. The moment Sarah saw us… specifically Andy with Rosie on his arm.. her whole face soured.
Deliciously.
Andy was oblivious, focused entirely on Rosie’s chatter about swings. I slipped my arm through his, leaning close.
He glanced at me and smiled… soft, private, enough to melt through the last of my doubt.
Jealousy from Sarah.
Comfort from Andy.
Joy from Rosie.
For the first time in two years… everything felt right.
I held onto him tighter ready to enjoy that gaze.