THE SON BETWEEN US

I SIGNED MY FAMILY AWAY

Ethan POV

She walked past me like I was invisible, not even a flicker of recognition. Her eyes stayed forward and focused only on my little boy at her side and her hand was also locked around him, so firm and protective, like she was afraid the world might snatch him away if she loosened her grip.

I swallowed hard.

“Ava,” I called.

But there was no response. My chest tightened, I tried again and louder this time.

“Ava.”

She didn’t even slow down or turn. It was like my voice couldn’t reach her anymore.

The boy laughed at something she said as his head tipped back slightly, that sound hit me harder than any slap ever could, I recognized it, the tone and the careless joy. It sounded so much like me when I was younger before I learned how to bury everything that mattered.

My son doesn’t even know who I am, that thought made my hands shake.

I took a step toward them, then stopped.

What would I even say? I’m sorry felt too small, It sounded like a lie even to myself.

Three years.

Three years of silence, three years of choosing pride over truth and control over love.

I had signed those divorce papers like they were the end of a problem, I never knew it was the beginning of a loss.

I watched Ava guide him around a corner, her body instinctively shielding him from my view.

That was how she erased me, I dragged in a breath that burned.

“I wish I had another chance,” I whispered.

I wasn’t asking for forgiveness, I wasn’t even asking to be loved. I just wanted my son to know me.

I stood there looking so confused. People began to pass, their curious stares burned into me, like I was a villain. I turned away because there was nothing left for me there.

In the car, silence closed in and immediately Sienna’s face surfaced, her sharp words, her messes. She has made even my own apartment become miserable for me. Going to that house, I know that another storm awaits me. She's the worst mistake of mine.

I drove without direction home.

When I got home, I saw Sienna already waiting at the door and without being told I knew that another episode of ranting was about to begin.

“Where the hell are you coming from?” She said, blocking the door.

“Sienna, leave my way.”

“You watched me thrown out like a piece of trash by those securities and you did nothing?”

“What was I supposed to do,” I paused to see if she would react but she didn't. “You badge into a place where your presence wasn't wanted at all and you expect me to defend you?”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“I had a long day and do you know who made it stressful?”

She was unable to make eye contact.

“It's you, Sienna”

“You are raising your voice and also disturbing the neighborhood, Ethan.” she said quietly like she's innocent.

“Really? Am I?” I said, more loudly this time. “When you badge into a conference hall and started ranting like a loose dog, weren't you disturbing others?”

She didn't utter a word, I was not expecting her to say anything either. I am very sure that she is trying to avoid attention from the neighbors so that she won't be mocked.

She left the doorway. I went inside, leaving her there to maybe think about everything she had caused but she didn't.

“Do you know one terrible thing about you?”

I turned to her and crossed my hands to hear what she had to say.

“You are so weak, you can't defend people you love talk more of defending yourself, Ethan.”

I wasn't expecting that from her, what does she really mean by that?”

“Firstly, it was that stupid ex-wife of yours, Ava, you didn't defend her not even for once while she was still under your custody and you came to me, all because of your weak and selfish traits.”

“What the hell are you saying? What does Ava have to do with this?”

“And now you are becoming weak again because she has a son and you really think he is yours. And Ava on the other hand, is busy throwing herself and her bastard son at you but unknown to her that you can't defend them” she continued and smiled at the end.

“Are you out of your mind, Sienna?” I said loudly.

“You don't get to raise your voice at me, Ethan,”

“Never in your useless life call my son a bastard. Look at me and tell me, three years of being together right? How many children have you gotten?” I said more loudly this time as veins started bulging on my neck and forehead.

I looked straight into her eyes to hear what her response would be but she remained muted though she had many things to say but she didn't. She's probably scared because she has never seen me in this state.

“No, I think the right question to ask is if you truly have a womb…”

“Stop right there, I won't have you talk to me in such manner.”

“You have always been a shameless slut. That saying that you can get a rat out of a gutter but you can not get the gutter out of the rat is actually true.”

“What are you insinuating?”

“Do you want me to continue pretending the fact that you have been seducing Raven, my best friend?”

“Where did you get that from?” she said as her voice cracked.

“From your ass.” I said as I looked at her in disgust.

“Ethan, it is not what you think at all, please.”

I picked up my phone and my other working gadgets and slammed the door on her face.

Wh

en I got to the living room, the thought of Ava and my son crossed my mind and soon I slept off.

Before I knew that it's morning, I heard a soft knock on the door. I went ahead to open the door and I saw another mistake of my life. What is she really doing here?