But it was as if Kaden lifted the words straight from my mouth. He gave Zac the reassurance he so desperately needed—softly, sincerely, with a gentleness that settled deep in my chest.
He didn’t have to do that. He could have easily offered hollow words, said whatever was easiest just to make Zac feel better about himself. But instead, what he gave him was genuine and deeply heartfelt, spoken as if he truly saw the remarkable person my son is.
As a mother whose whole world revolves around her little boy, I have never felt such a profound, instinctive respect and appreciation for someone I barely know, someone who, in that moment, showed a care for my son that made my heart swell and ache at the same time.
In the short time we’ve known each other, he has done more for Zac and me than Adrian ever did, more than I thought anyone could. I can’t even put into words the way it makes me feel every time I think about it.
Kaden is quickly revealing a side of himself I never expected—the genuinely good, incredible parts that shineeven in our brief acquaintance. And I find myself hoping that I’ll get the chance to know even more.
We haven’t arranged to meet again, at least, not anytime soon. But we’ve kept in touch, mostly through texts. He shares updates on some of his new builds, and I’ve been keeping him posted on Zac’s model house, and even on my own home renovations, which have finally gained momentum now that I’ve found this new surge of energy and determination.
He’s offered to lend a hand more than once, but he’s already done so much for me that I can’t bring myself to ask for anything more. As much as I need it, I don’t want him to feel that our friendship exists only for the help he gives. Accepting help has never come easily to me—from Kaden or anyone else. So even if he’s offering, I’m just not comfortable enough to take it.
I’ve spent the day slowly working through the kitchen cabinets, one by one, fixing doors that have come off their hinges, replacing missing handles and screws, and repairing cracks in the wood. They’ll need repainting, and not just the damaged ones, but the rest of the cabinets too.
I’m in the middle of screwing a handle onto one drawer when a sharp knock rattles the front door. I pause what I’m doing, setting the screwdriver gently on the bench and make my way towards the front of the house.
Stopping briefly at the hallway mirror, I check my reflection, making sure I look at least somewhat decent, if for some reason it’s Kaden on the other side, before opening the door.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Adrian drawls, wearing that infuriating grin I once found really sexy, back when I still cared, but now it just grates on my nerves.
He still looks like the same man I was married to all those years ago, tall and lean beneath a navy sweater and dark jeans. The premature greys at his temples have become more pronounced over the past year, only making his ocean-blue eyes stand out more. He must have had a haircut recently, and his dark beard is neatly trimmed.
If I had to guess, it’s probably for all the women he’s been entertaining, or at least, trying to impress.
I step outside, closing the door quietly behind me, careful not to let Zac hear us, even though he’s safely tucked away in his room.
“What are you doing here, Adrian?”
“I’ve come to spend time with my son.”
“You know it’s my weekend with him. And not only that, you haven’t even bothered to call him at all this week.”
“I was busy.”
“Too busy for a five-minute chat with your son? I’ve heard better excuses from prisoners.”
“Hey, I’m here, aren’t I? I’m trying to make up for it, and you’re always trying to make it so difficult.”
“Adrian, showing up here once in a blue moon, or whenever you feel like it, is not going to make up for the weeks you’ve ghosted him. You’re his father for crying out loud, and you’re treating him like he isn’t a priority.”
“There are things I had to do, alright? It’s not like I live a few minutes away. You went out of your way to put as much distance between us as you could. So forgive me if I can’t just drop everything and come running whenever you feel like demanding it.”
“First of all, there’snothingmore important than spending time with your child. Zac has been waiting patiently to see or even hear from you, but you always end up disappointing him. And secondly, I’m not demanding anything. This is part of the parenting order you agreed to and signed. If you acted like a responsible father, this conversation wouldn’t even be necessary.”
“Look, I’m trying to balance everything as best as I can. It’s not fucking easy, Hope.”
“You think this is easy for me, Adrian? Do you think I wake up every morning thinking my life is so fucking simple? That it’s easy to work long hours at the hospital, make sure our child is safe, healthy, and thriving, and still hold this house together all on my own? I don’t get to just show up whenever I feel like it, Adrian. I do what has to be done, without question, without complaints.”
I steel my spine, refusing to hold back now as the words I’ve kept locked inside for so long burst forth, carrying all my anger and truth.
“I have never asked anything from you that’s beyond what’s outlined in the parenting order. I don’t even ask my parents for help because they’ve earned the right to rest at their age. This is my responsibility. I’m the adult. I’m the parent. I don’tget a choice. But even so, I willalwaysbe there for Zac—no matter what. So if you feel like you can’t do this anymore, if you can’t be the father our son needs or deserves—then tell me now. We’ll go through the courts, amend the parenting order, and you can step away for good. Just understand this: I’ll make damn sure he lives a full and happy life, surrounded by all the love and support he needs without you in it.”
Adrian lowers his gaze to the floor, shame and guilt flashing across his features. It’s the only proof that tells me I’ve struck a chord.I feel no regret for what I said. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been more honest or direct in my life.
If he truly believes he can keep treating our son like an obligation instead of a priority—if he thinks he can continue letting him down, again and again, then he’s an even bigger fool than I ever gave him credit for. And certainly not the man who deserves my little boy. He can walk away now if he chooses. I won’t stop him, ever. Either way, our lives will
go on without him.
