The words drifted up the stairs, muffled but sharp enough to catch pieces.
“…half the town was there.”
“…Victoria making a scene on purpose.”
“We need to do damage control.People are already talking.”
My throat burned as I swung my legs off the bed, pulling on the nearest hoodie before heading down.
They were all in the kitchen: Mom, Dad, Chase, Clara, and even Brody, his broad shoulders tense as he leaned against the counter.Coffee mugs clinked softly against the table.No one noticed me until I spoke.
“Shouldn’t I be part of this conversation?”
The silence was immediate.Everyone looked at me like they’d been caught doing something wrong.
Chase cleared his throat first.“Cass…”
“Don’t,” I said, holding up a hand.“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.If there’s gossip, if people are already calling me names, then maybe I deserve to know.”
Clara flinched at that, her mouth parting like she wanted to protest, but before she could, Jackson barreled into the room, tugging on her sleeve.
“Mom!Can we go for ice cream today?”He turned to me when Clara hesitated, big blue eyes wide with hope.“Aunt Cass, you can come, right?”
I crouched down so we were eye level and smoothed a hand over his messy blonde hair.“You know what, buddy?How about just you and me today?We’ll get ice cream, drive around, and get some fresh air.Deal?”
Jackson beamed, already racing off to grab his coat.
I avoided everyone’s eyes as I ran upstairs to get changed quickly.I needed air.Space.Anything but the four walls of that kitchen and the weight of their pity.
We stopped at a little shop downtown that stayed open year-round, the kind with sticky tables and mismatched chairs, and Jackson insisted on double scoops despite the cold.The air was sharp enough to sting, biting at my cheeks as we walked back toward the car, his mittened hand swinging in mine.For a moment, it was almost easy to breathe again.To be present in this moment with the sweetest boy at my side.
And then I heard it.
“Cassidy.”
No.
Andrew’s voice.
I froze before I could stop myself, the ice creeping up my spine.He stood a few feet away, his son by his side, looking like his dad's twin.
“Hey, Jackson!”the boy chirped, waving at my nephew, with a hauntingly familiar smile.
“Max!”Jackson grinned, starting to step forward, but I instinctively pulled him closer.
Andrew’s smile was practiced, smooth, like last night hadn’t happened at all.“Looks like the boys miss each other,” he said casually.“Why don’t we let them hang out?Grab a coffee while they play?”
Was he fucking crazy?
My voice came out tighter than I meant.“Not today, Andrew.”
His brows drew together, just slightly, but he didn’t back off.“Cassidy, don’t do this.”His voice lowered, pitched just for me.“Spend time with me, with us.For them.”He gestured between the boys, like dangling them between us would somehow erase everything he’d done.
I crouched, ignoring him, forcing my smile to stay soft for Jackson.“Hey, buddy?Aunt Cass has some things to do today.But maybe you can talk to your mom about setting something up with Max’s parents.”
Jackson looked disappointed but nodded.I straightened, keeping my gaze locked on Andrew’s.“Not today,” I repeated firmly.
His jaw ticked, eyes flashing with something I couldn’t read: frustration, desperation, maybe both.
