Father's name: blank.
I closed my eyes.
Fuck.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Olivia
When Juliet and Ezio's car vanished around the corner, the last bit of sunset faded with it.
I stood at the door for a long time before closing it.
Leo was still up, slumped against the sofa arm, legs dangling and kicking, eyes buzzing with leftover excitement from the day.
"Mom, does Juliet live far away?"
"A little." I headed to the kitchen to clear the remaining dishes.
"Does she have to get up super early for school?" He trailed after me, standing close, tilting his head up to keep asking. "Does she have a dog? She said she wants a golden retriever, but her dad won't let her. She calls that guy Dad, right? They look so alike! And both have green eyes, but you and me have green eyes too, I—"
"Leo."
"What?"
"Brush your teeth first."
He let out an "oh" and dashed to the bathroom. I heard the faucet turn on, heard him humming some tune inside, way off-key but full of energy.
I stacked the bowls in the sink, fingers mindlessly gripping the sponge.
Today at the table, when they sat together, the resemblance hit me so hard I could barely breathe.
I squeezed the sponge hard, water dripping through my fingers.
Don't think about it.
"Mom, I'm done!"
I took a deep breath, shut off the faucet, and went to check his teeth.
He opened wide, grinning so big his gums showed. I rubbed my fingertip over his back molars. "Missed a spot. Go brush again."
"Aw—"
"Go on."
He slouched back in.
I tucked him into bed, pulled up the covers, sat on the edge, and told half a story before he dozed off, lips curved in a smug little smile even in sleep. I sat there watching him, hand lightly on the blanket, feeling the faint rise and fall of his warmth.
Parkour, dodging through bushes, chasing dandelions, rolling on the grass with Juliet laughing—he got himself filthy today, but he had a blast.
I brushed the hair from his forehead. He stirred but didn't wake, breathing steady.
His brow bone. That curve from inner to outer edge—I'd stared at it for five years, and every time it felt like something slicing across my heart.
I eased up quietly, shut the door, and headed back to the living room.
