CHAPTER 1
** A Surprise Dinner **
"Lily, don't peek."
I put both palms over my eyes and chuckled. James, that's what you've been saying for 10 minutes. I'm going hungry."
" A couple more steps, please. It's worth it, I assure you.
His hand was firm but kind to my waist as he led me slowly through our home's plush carpet. The smell reached me first—warm bread, sweet wine, and something cheesy in the air. He could hear the rumbling in my stomach.
I smiled and said, "You're doing this on purpose."
Behind me, he laughed. Perhaps. All right—ready?"
I gave a nod. His hands were away from my eyes.
Slowly, I opened them. The space was bright.
There were candles on the table. Petals of roses danced on the floor. From the speaker by the window, soft music was playing. And my favorite dish is in the middle of the table. A chocolate cake with whipped cream on top was waiting, along with lasagna, garlic bread, and a salad that I enjoyed despite having too many greens.
I blinked quickly. "James..."
Like a bashful boy, he walked next to me with his hands in his pockets. "Happy anniversary. A year.
I put my hand over my mouth. "My chest didn't fit my heart," You recalled.
"I did, of course." After grinning, he took out a chair for me. " Take a seat. I prepared food.
I furrowed my brow. "You cooked?"
"All right, I gave the order. However, I plated it. That's important, isn't it?
We chuckled. My chest's tightness disappeared. As I sat down, I saw him fill our glasses with sparkling water. Like tiny stars, the bubbles rose. He held his glass up to me.
"To my greatest year ever."
I raised mine. "To us."
We exchanged eyeglasses. I attempted to quiet the storm that was brewing in my stomach by taking a sip. I wanted to share something with him. Not just now, though. Not this evening. I didn't want this to go wrong.
As if I were magic, he watched me eat.
After some time, he said, "You've been quiet."
With a short "just loving everything," I said. "This is ideal."
He remarked, "You're perfect," before lowering his gaze and blushing.
That still made my heart race, which was absurd.
We discussed trivial topics like his Chicago business venture, a movie I wanted to watch, and the dog that lived next door and growled at his car every morning. We chuckled. Across the table, our hands touched. However, the necessary words were stuck in my throat like a stone.
I inhaled deeply as he got up to grab the dessert.
"James," I murmured.
He pivoted. "Yes?"
"I... I want to share something with you.
Grinning, he c****d his head. "Do I need to be afraid?"
"No," I blurted out. Then I stopped. "Perhaps."
He chuckled. " All right." Proceed.
I opened my mouth—but the doorbell rang.
James scowled. "Who is here at this hour?"
"I'm not sure."
He approached the door.
My heart was pounding for another reason, so I remained sitting. I disliked being surprised. Not when I was carrying one of my own around.
The door opened with a squeak. I heard James talk.
Then there was quiet.
"James?" My voice was uncertain as I stood.
I started for the corridor—and halted.
She was in the entryway of our house.
tall. Blond. Lips that are red, icy gaze, clutching the hand of a young boy who bore a striking resemblance to James.
Victoria.
James's former partner.
The one about which he never spoke.
I lost my ability to breathe.
Victoria examined every inch of me as if I were dirt.
"I must talk to James. By themselves.
James remained still. The color had gone out of his face. The young child stared at James with wide, terrified eyes while clinging on to her hand and biting his thumb.
"I apologize for the unexpected visit," Victoria stated in a pleasant yet acerbic tone. "But I was at a loss."
"Why are you in this place?" James's voice was empty as he asked.
After glancing down at the boy, she looked back up. "I believed it was time for you to meet your son."
I was unable to talk.
I was immobile.
All I could do was look at the boy. James's eyes were on the boy. James's hair. James's little grin.
James did not dispute it.
He continued to gaze at the youngster as if he were a ghost.
I took a step back.
James whispered, "Lily," and reached for me.
But before he could touch me, I turned.
I returned to the eating area.
The candles continued to burn brightly.
The food remains heated.
There was no damage to the cake.
We still have our glasses filled.
I gazed at the two-person table.
And my only thought was—
I no longer belong here.
Staring at the melted candle wax that was flowing down like slow tears, I stood at the table. There was no more music. Or perhaps I simply lost the ability to hear it.
James entered slowly and uncertainly behind me.
"Lily," he repeated.
I didn't look around.
He started to say, "She said," but the words stuck.
Finally, I turned to face him.
“That’s your son,” she said.
Once, as if it were the heaviest thing in the world, he nodded.
I gasped.
"Is he?"
I could tell everything I needed to know by his quietness.
I took a step back and ran to the table.
"How old is he?" With hardly more than a whisper, I asked.
James glanced back at me and then toward the corridor. "Five."
Five.
That was prior to me.
long before us.
How come it still felt like cheating, then?
I remarked, "You never told me,"
"I didn't know," he blurted out. "She didn't tell me. Not till today.
I trusted him. I desired to. However, it didn't make my chest hurt any less.
I brushed past him and whispered, "Give me a moment."
I didn't let him stop me.
Then I went out onto the balcony. The chilly night air pricked my skin. The bright, starry sky above seemed suddenly too far away.
Five years.
Why now?
Why this evening?
Behind me, the door opened. With a blanket in his hands, James went outside. He placed it over my shoulders with gentleness.
"I'm at a loss for words," he remarked.
I shut my eyes. "You are not required to speak. All I have to do is think.
He gave a nod. Victoria arrived just now. We split up, and I haven't seen her since. She departed silently.
I turned to face him. "And she's back now—with a kid."
James gave another nod.
I gazed at him. "What is her desire?"
He took a while to respond. "She wants me to be a part of his life," she says.
The statements were deeply hurtful.
"I can appreciate your anger," he continued.
I gave a headshake. "I'm not upset. I'm afraid.
He furrowed his brows. "What are you afraid of?"
I looked him in the eyes.
"I'm afraid you'll pick them … over me."
Victoria came out onto the balcony before he could respond, speaking in a cool, collected tone.
He has a right to know his dad. James, you must make a decision.
I turned to face James.
He gave me a glance.
And I was aware—
A good night did not finish here.
The beginning of a difficult one.
Do you want me to move right away?
Victoria states that the child she brings with her is James's son. Lily is stunned and uncertain of her current position.
