Atin stared at he can, complearly caught off guard by the question. Alden’s small voice, is gentle and innocent, eehold in her ears
“Does papa love the too?”
She blinked slowly, her eyes lecked on his curious little sleepy face. He was staring at her, waiting so full of hope, so unaware of the heaviness that question carries
He was so innocent. So pure. She hated how she had to lie to him,
She didn’t know what the truth was. Did Alex even care? Would he care if he saw Aiden now? Would he be proud, or would he walk away without a word? She didn’t have answers, but what she knew for sure was that she couldn’t say any of that to her son.
“Yes, baby,” she finally said, her voice low, barely above a whisper. “He loves you so much.”
The words scraped against her heart as they left her lips, but she forced a smile. For Aiden.
His face lit up. That beautiful, sweet smile that melted her from the inside out. So innocent. So trusting. She didn’t deserve a child this perfect.
He reached out and touched her arm, his little fingers warm. “Will he ever come back, Mama?”
Another punch to her chest. It knocked the air out of her again.
His eyes were wide, hopeful.
She looked away for a second, trying to hide the way her vision was starting to blur with tears. She coughed, pretending her throat was itchy, but really she was trying not to break down.
Lily’s words from earlier rang in her head.
“Just tell him he’s dead.”
It sounded cruel. But practical. So Aiden would stop asking questions. But what if he grew up and asked where his father was buried? What would she say then?
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t kill Alex in her son’s world, not every in words. Maybe it was foolish. Maybe it was because a small, hidden part of her still held on to the idea that one day, somehow, Aiden would meet his father.
Would he resent her for the lies? Would he look at her one day and hate her for keeping the truth?
“Baby,” she said, forcing another smile as she brushed his curls out of his eyes. “I told you, Daddy has things that are keeping him away.”
Aiden nodded slowly, sadness swimming in his eyes. “He’s saving lives, just like Iron Man, Mama?” he asked, voice hopeful.
Mia bit her bottom lip, nodding quickly before she could cry again. “Yes, baby. Just like Iron Man.”
And just like that, Aiden smiled again, as if her words painted the world better. He snuggled closer, placing his head on her chest, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around him.
She held him tight, so tight, like she was trying to protect him from everything–even the truth.
Her tears finally fell. Silently, quietly. She cried into her pillow while holding her whole world in her arms. She cried for all the nights she faced alone, for the love she lost, for the truth she couldn’t say.
One day, when he was older, maybe she would tell him. When he could understand the way life sometimes bruised people without reason. When he could listen without his heart breaking.
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12:03 Sat, 9 Aug
Chapter 173
She would tell him how she fell for someone who she was not supposed to have any business with.
She would tell him how she tried to be everything and how hard it was.
And maybe, just maybe, he would understand. And forgive her.
But tonight, all she could do was hold him.
“I have Mummy and that’s enough!” Aiden suddenly said, his earlier sadness completely washed away.
Mia let out a wet chuckle, subtly wiping her eyes before he could see.
“Thank you, baby,” she whispered.
He tilted his head up and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mama.”
She felt that familiar sting in the corners of her eyes again. How did she get so lucky to have a child like this? How did she deserve someone so full of light when she felt like darkness lived inside her?
“I love you more, baby,” she replied softly.
As Aiden drifted back to sleep in her arms, she stayed awake a little longer, holding him and praying the world would be kinder to him than it was to her.
The next day started slowly, Mia lay in bed for a second longer than usual, just listening to the sound of her son breathing peacefully beside her. She turned her head slightly and watched Aiden, still curled up in the blanket, his little hand clutching the edge of her nightshirt.
Today was the day. They were leaving.
She sighed quietly and gently ran her fingers through his curls, trying to memorize every detail of this moment. There was a strange heaviness in her chest…a mix of excitement, fear, and sadness. Everything was about to change.
“Mama,” he mumbled sleepily.
“Good morning, baby,” she whispered, kissing his forehead.
Aiden blinked up at her, eyes still cloudy from sleep. “Are we flying today?”
Mia smiled softly. “Yes, sweetheart. We have to start getting ready now.”
They got out of bed, and Mia began packing the last of their things. She double–checked Aiden’s bag, making sure she didn’t forget his favorite blue hoodie, the one with the dinosaur print, and the stuffed teddy he couldn’t sleep without.
She glanced up and saw Lily standing at the doorway, watching her.
Their eyes met.
For a second, she has no idea how to react after the conversation they had yesterday.
Mia smiles, trying her best to act normal “Morning” she said casually.
Lily nodded with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Morning. Need help?”
Mia hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
They packed in silence, and soon the house was filled with the sound of movement. Everyone insisted on coming with them to the airport…her mom,
Lily, Ann. Mia didn’t object. Deep down, she knew she needed them there.
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12:03 Sat, 9 Aug
Chapter 173
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Two cabs pulled in front of their house. Her mom helped load the bags into the first one while Mia made a quick call to Ethan. She told him they were leaving for the airport and he said he’d be waiting when they landed. There was a strange calm in his voice, but Mia could tell he was excited too.
Aiden climbed into the second cab and sat on Lily’s lap, chattering about airplanes and how high they fly. Lily held him close, laughing softly and nodding at every silly thing he said.
Mia watched them, her chest tightening again. This wasn’t going to be easy for any of them.
By the time they reached the airport, the sun was brighter. The terminal buzzed with people dragging suitcases, saying goodbyes, rushing to catch flights. Mia took a deep breath as she stepped out.
Lily still held Aiden in her arms as they walked inside. He was talking about how he would miss everyone and how he wanted to come back and visit
soon.
Then it was time to board.
Mia turned to her mother and hugged her tightly.
“Be careful, Mia,” her mom whispered. “Call me when you land, okay?”
Mia nodded “I will.”
Ann hugged her next, then Lily, who still held Aiden like she didn’t want to let go.
Aiden pulled back just a little, looking at his grandma and aunts. “Goodbye, Grandma. Goodbye Aunt Lily. Goodbye Aunt Ann.”
His voice was so clear, so sweet, that it shattered something inside them. They chuckled even though their eyes shine with unshed tears.
Mia crouched beside her son and took his hand in hers. She looked into his small face, his wide eyes, so full of wonder.
“You ready, baby?”
Aiden nodded eagerly. “Yes, Mama.”
She walked toward the boarding gate, holding tightly onto the little hand that made everything worth it.
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