In one I was parked at the school, and Will was next to me, but beside him was another woman, someone I didn’t recognize. They looked so happy together, like they belonged.
The second dream was worse. Jason was in the pool with Bebe and James, and there was another woman there, laughing with them. Her head was turned away, but she seemed at ease, like she fit into the picture more than I did. Jason tossed James into the air, his laugh booming, and then he balanced Bebe on his shoulders as she squealed with delight. They all looked so happy together—without me.
I was trapped in the house, unable to open the doors, watching this scene play out in front of me, a bystander to Jason’s new life. The air felt thick, pressing against my chest.Panic clawed at me, and I struggled to breathe. I fought to wake up and break free of the suffocating weight.
When I finally opened my eyes, the dreams clung to me like cobwebs. Jason wasn’t in the pool. He wasn’t with another woman. He was in the bathroom, the faint scent of his cologne wafting into the bedroom, something I used to love.
Still half-asleep, I got up and followed him.
He looked startled when I walked in. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
I shook my head. My voice was caught somewhere in my throat. “Jason,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected, “we can’t go on like this. I need some clarity. We’ve crossed lines. We broke vows. I don’t know how we get back to normal from here.”
He paused, turning to face me fully. “I know,” he said quietly, his tone calm but firm. “I’m willing to leave everything in the past. I can make changes and I am planning to talk to Danny and Marcus about cutting down on my trips, and I’m finding Shannon a different position.” His words hung in the air, a mix of relief and confusion washing over me. “Why didn’t you tell me this?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
“I didn’t know how it would all unfold,” he admitted. “ I realized that losing you and the kids would be worse than anything else. Family comes first.”
There was sincerity in his voice, but I couldn’t shake the frustration bubbling under the surface.Why now? Why not before things had fallen apart?
He stepped closer, his hand brushing my cheek. “I can forgive if you can,” he said softly. “The choice is yours.”
Then he kissed my cheek lightly, a gesture so familiar, yet so distant. “I have to go,” he added. “I’ll be back Thursday morning.”
He was willing to forget everything. Maybe because I hadn’t told him the full truth.
I was still shocked and frozen in the bathroom as I heard the garage door open, listening to his car pull away, and I realized one thing: I had a choice to make.
After droppingthe kids at school, I drove straight to Will’s house.
It was 8:30 when I pulled into his driveway. The morning sun glinted off his car, and the smell of freshly cut grass lingered in the air. He was already waiting for me, standing at the door with a bag of bagels in hand.
His smile lit up his face when he saw me. His blue eyes sparkled like the ocean on a clear day, matching the long-sleeve blue Vuori shirt that clung to him just enough to remind me of everything I’d miss.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice warm and inviting.
I laughed softly, stepping inside. “Bagels again?”
He shrugged, grinning. “Thought it might be our thing.”
We moved to the kitchen and the familiar counter where so many of our mornings had started. He grabbed plates, placing the bagels on them, but my stomach was in knots.
“Will,” I started, my voice shaky but determined. I met his gaze, forcing myself not to look away. “I fell hard for you.”
His smile faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “Fell?”
“Yes,” I said softly. “Probably still am falling, but I can’t do this.”
He didn’t say anything right away, his eyes studying mine. Finally, he nodded slightly. “You’ve mentioned that before.”
I took a deep breath, the words tumbling out before I lost my nerve. “I can’t be a stepmother. I don’t have what it takes.”
He nodded again, slower this time. His expression softened. “You’ve mentioned that too,” he repeated.
“I need to focus on my kids,” I continued, my voice breaking slightly. “And probably on myself. I’ve never felt more alive than when I was with you. Part of it was designing your home. You helped me tap into something I hadn’t felt in years. I can’t thank you enough for that.”
“I’m certain I’m in love with you, Natalie. I would take care of you and your kids,” he said.
I shook my head slightly, tears pricking my eyes. “I don’t need to be taken care of, but I love you for saying that. And for what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure I am falling in love with you, too.”
