She laughed as she wiped at her eyes. “So what I’m hearing is, you need a few more pieces to fill the place up with.”
“That would be great,” I said. “Because beyond fixing it up, I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to decorating. I spent an hour just trying to pick paint colors.”
She laughed softly. “Why don’t you just ask Molly to help you with things like that? It’s going to be her house anyway.”
“I haven’t told her yet,” I admitted. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Her smile softened. “Are you two getting along okay?”
“We are now. Not at first—but that was on me.” I swallowed. “When she told me she was pregnant, I froze. Told her I couldn’t be a father.”
Her expression shifted instantly. “Please tell me you apologized for that.”
“I did. I have. Now I’m just trying to show her—prove to her—that I’ll be there for her and our son, no matter what.”
She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “I love you so much, honey. But girls like Molly don’t need grand gestures.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but she kept going.
“I’m sure she’ll love the house—truly. But actions speak louder than words, Liam. Be present. Be someone she can count on. That’s what builds trust.”
Her eyes held mine. “And if your father taught you anything, I hope it’s that money can’t buy any of that.”
“I’m trying hard, Mom. I promise.”
“Since we’re already talking about relationships,” she said, “I’ve been thinking a lot about your dad and me. I’ve got the paperwork filled out to file for divorce. I just… haven’t filed yet. The second I do, he’ll find out and feel blindsided. I need to be gone before that happens.”
“Where are you going to go?”
“I’ve saved more than enough from this place to leave and get by on my own. I’m thinking about taking a break from work and traveling for a while. Seeing all the places I wanted to take you boys, but your dad was always too busy to go.” She smiled softly. “The Grand Canyon. Maybe New York. I’ve always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty.”
“I think that’s an amazing step in the right direction, Mom.” I was proud of her. Even if she didn’t end up filing, getting the paperwork and filling it out was a huge step. It at least made her think about what her life could be without my dad holding her back. Maybe she would think about it enough that eventually she’d go file.
“I better get going. I’m on shift tonight. Maybe next time we can grab dinner together and spend more time talking,” I offered.
“I’d love that, honey,” she said, walking me back to the front door. “I’ve already got a couple more ideas for the other pieces I want to paint for the nursery. I’ll bring them by when they’re ready, and you can show me around this new project of yours.”
“Call me if you file and need help moving your stuff. I’d love a good excuse to land another punch on that man’s face.”
She smiled. “You’ll be my first call.”
I made my way back to my Jeep, pulling my phone out of my pocket as notifications continued to ding.
Audio detected in Molly’s Home — Location Unknown
Audio detected in Molly’s Home — Location Unknown
I wanted to respect Molly’s privacy, but I’d never gotten this kind of notification from her alarm system before. Why was it detecting audio but no movement? And why didn’t it list a location? Curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped the notification open.
I lifted the phone to my ear, listening to the audio it had detected. It was Molly. The camera feed showed her empty kitchen, but her voice carried through the recording, distant, coming from somewhere else in the house. Somewhere without cameras, I assumed.
The longer I listened, the more my brain caught up with what I was hearing.
Molly was moaning.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as memory slammed into me—her moan, the same sound I’d heard months ago. Then my face went from hot to scorching when it clicked that she wasn’t just moaning.
She was moaning my name.
