Chapter 130 NEW WALLS, OLD SECRETS

Chapter 130 NEW WALLS, OLD SECRETS
MAYA’S POV

The sunlight felt different in Manhattan. Brighter. Fuller of promise. I stood in the middle of our new apartment, watching movers carry the last boxes inside. The place was big enough for all of us. Three bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a small balcony that overlooked the city. It was nothing like our old leaking apartment in Brooklyn. This was a real home.

“Careful with that one,” I said to the mover carrying Damon’s box of toys. “It has his favorite cars.”

Mom smiled as she unpacked dishes in the kitchen. “This kitchen is a dream, Maya. There’s room for Sunday dinners and everything.”

Damon ran past us, his small feet loud on the new wooden floors. “Mommy! My room has space for all my cars! Can I put stars on the ceiling like you promised?”

I laughed and picked him up, spinning him around. “Yes, baby. We’ll do that this weekend. Blue walls and stars. Just like you wanted.”

He hugged me tight. Damon was my whole world. His dark curls and bright eyes reminded me every day of the night that changed everything. But I pushed those thoughts away. Today was about moving forward.

We spent the whole day unpacking. Mom organized the kitchen while I set up the living room. Damon helped by placing his toys in his new room. By evening, most boxes were empty. The apartment started to feel like ours. I hung family photos on the wall. It was spictures of me, Mom, and Damon. 

That night, we ordered in and ate on the floor like a picnic. Damon talked excitedly about his new school starting tomorrow. Mom told stories about her own moves when she was younger. I listened and smiled, but my mind kept drifting to Luca. We were officially together now, but I still hadn’t told him about Damon. The secret felt heavier in this new place.

The next morning came too fast. I helped Damon put on his clean uniform. He looked so small and proud with his backpack on.

“Ready for your new school?” I asked, kneeling to fix his collar.

“Yes,” he said bravely. “I hope they have cars to play with.”

We walked hand in hand to the school. It was a good private school just a few blocks away. Parents and children filled the hallway. Mrs. Allen, Damon’s new teacher, greeted us at the classroom door with a warm smile.

“Hello, Damon! I’m Mrs. Allen. We’re going to have so much fun this year.”

Damon waved shyly and joined the other kids. I filled out the paperwork at the small table outside the classroom. Name, address, emergency contacts. Then came the family section.

Mrs. Allen looked at the paper. “And the child’s father? Will he be involved in school activities or should we reach out to him for emergencies?”

I gave a tight smile. The question always came. It never got easier. “He’s not in the picture,” I said quietly. My voice was steady, but my chest felt tight. “It’s just us. Me and my mom.”

Mrs. Allen nodded kindly. “Understood. We’ll make sure Damon feels fully supported here. He seems like a wonderful boy.”

I thanked her and gave Damon one last hug before leaving. “Have a great day, baby. I’ll pick you up after school.”

As I walked home, the city felt both exciting and lonely. I had a successful pitch. A new partnership with my name on the glass at Hale Empire. A boyfriend who loved me. But the biggest truth was still hidden. Damon was Luca’s son. 

Back at the apartment, Mom was making coffee. “How did drop-off go?”

“Fine,” I said. “The teacher asked about his father. I gave the usual answer.”

Mom sighed and hugged me. “You can’t keep this forever, Maya. Luca seems like a good man. He deserves to know. Damon deserves to know his dad.”

“I know,” I whispered. “Soon. I just need a little more time.”

The rest of the day I worked from home, setting up my new consultancy space in the second bedroom. Luca called in the afternoon.

“How’s the new place?” he asked. His voice was warm and caring.

“It’s great,” I said. “ We’re settling in.”

There was a short pause. “I’d love to see it.”

My heart ached. “Soon,” I promised again.

That evening, I picked Damon up from school. He ran to me with a big smile, holding a drawing he made.

“Look, Mommy! I drew this!”

It was a colorful picture with three stick figures, me, Mom, and him. No fourth figure. I hugged him tight.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

We walked home together. The sun was setting over Manhattan. The new apartment waited for us with its bright lights and open space. Mom had dinner ready when we arrived.

As we ate together, I watched Damon laugh and talk about his day. He was happy. Safe. Loved. That was what mattered most.

Later that night, after Damon was asleep in his new bed with stars starting to appear on his ceiling, I stood on the balcony. The city stretched out below me. I thought about Luca. About the love growing between us. About the secret that still stood between us.

One day soon, I would tell him. One day soon, Damon would have his father in the picture. But for tonight, in our new home, we were okay.