THE SON BETWEEN US

FATE RETURNS

***Three years later***

My work finally brought me back to the city I once fled from, I was no longer Ethan Blackwood’s ex-wife. I was Ava Collins, my name carried weight of its own now, my presence commanded lot of respect and the past I escaped no longer had the power to define me.

Though the city had not changed that much. Every street, every crowd I saw reminded me of how out of place I once felt here.

I walked into the convention center with steady steps, my heels kept clicking softly against the polished floor and I also made my posture look so calm and professional.

This wasn’t the place where my marriage ended, this was work and I was here as Ava Collins, an independent consultant, invited for my expertise not as someone’s discarded ex-wife.

Leo walked beside me with his small hand wrapped tightly around mine with a quiet reassurance against the strange new world around us.

He was putting on a simple navy blue outfit with his hair neatly combed and every movement carried the careful curiosity of a child discovering something unfamiliar.

His eyes widened as he scanned through the room looking at details that seemed ordinary to me but extraordinary to him, everything in it, the bright lights, unfamiliar faces, the strange sounds and questions swirled silently across his expression.

“Mommy,” he whispered as he kept tugging my hand gently, “where is this? And why is it so big?” I smiled down at him. “Because grown ups like to make things complicated.” He nodded solemnly as if that explained everything.

I handed him to the caretaker that I had hired for the day and then I kneeled to his level. “Stay here, okay? I will be right back in a jiffy.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Do not stay long, mummy.” My heart softened. “I promise I won’t.”

A few seconds after I left him with the nanny, I heard his voice— yelling and calling out my name “Mommy!” I turned back and saw Leo on the floor and immediately a man went to lift him up. I quickly ran to the spot where he was. Immediately he saw me, he left the man that was with me and ran to me.

I didn't even look at the man who helped him up, I was just so worried about my son. “Mom, he pushed me,” Leo said, pointing at another child that looked quite older than him. I turned to the caretaker to confront her, and immediately I heard my name “Ava?” I felt this sudden tightening in my chest, that instinctive awareness I had not felt in years.

I turned slowly and saw Ethan Blackwood standing a few steps away and for a second, I could not breath. He looked different but still powerful and sharp.

It seems like the arrogance I remembered had softened around the edges and replaced by something more calm. His eyes locked onto mine and widening slightly as recognition settled in. “Ava Collins?” he said again quietly and I looked at him without blinking “Yes,” I replied calmly. “That used to be my name.” I said as his jaw tightened.

“I heard you were back,” he said. “but I didn’t believe it.” he added. “I do not make announcements anymore,” I said lightly. “I prefer results.” I said with confidence this time. Something unreadable passed through his eyes and before he could respond, a small voice interrupted.

“Mommy?” Leo said calmly, “Yes baby, I'm sorry, I hope you don't have an injury.” I turned to the caretaker and told her to be careful next time, especially with my son.

“Did I hear him say Mommy? He asked. “Yes” I answered as his gaze was locked in Leo’s. I know that the resemblance hit him like a physical blow, the same dark eyes, the same brow and the same quiet intensity that mirrored his own reflection and seem too true to be a coincidence.

My pulse spiked as I stepped forward immediately, placing myself in between them. “Leo,” I said gently but firmly, “come here.” He obeyed and leaned against my leg as Ethan swallowed hard.

“How old is he?” he asked, his voice rougher than before, I felt every muscle in my body tense. “Why does that matter?” I asked but his eyes never left Leo’s face. “Please.” I looked at him and made my expression unreadable. “Three,” I said as his facial expression changed immediately, three years, the same length of time since our divorce.

The silence between us stretched thickly and suffocated. “Ava…” His voice cracked slightly. “Is he…” he said. “No,” I said immediately, though the word came out sharper than I intended, I didn’t wait for him to further ask questions.

“You don’t get to ask that question,” I added coldly. “Not now, not ever.” I said leaving his expression shift with confusion colliding with something that seems close to hope. “I deserve to know,” he said quietly. I laughed softly without humor. “You gave up that right the day you signed those papers.”

Then I realized that people were starting to notice, whispers carried through the hall, so I took Leo’s hand and left him. “We are done here.” I said. As I walked away I felt Ethan watching us, his gaze burned into my back and his thoughts increased faster than he could control.

Behind him, I didn’t see the woman who had just arrived, the tall, elegant, perfectly dressed Sienna but she saw us, she saw me and also my child and the moment her eyes locked onto Leo’s face something dark twisted inside her usual sharp smile.

That night, sleep refused to come Leo laid curled beside me, I looked at him and smiled as he breathed softly and unaware of the storm he had awakened.

I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the city lights beyond the window. I had always known that this day would surely come but I just had not expected it to hurt this much.

My phone vibrated, once, twice but I didn’t need to check to know who it was. I just turned the screen of my phone face down but the silence didn’t last, just then a knock sounded at the door, my heart was still as I stood up slowly to the door.