Too Late to Choose Us

Chapter 2

After Oliver's fever finally broke, our house stayed painfully quiet for days.

Kevin still rushed out every time his phone rang. He never noticed that Oliver and I were growing colder toward him with each passing day.

One afternoon, I absentmindedly opened social media to distract myself. The first post that popped up was from Stacey.

I kept scrolling. Almost every post was about her life with Kevin.

They'd gone to the candlelit restaurant where Kevin and I had our very first date.

Kevin had personally placed around her neck the keepsake an Alpha traditionally gives the person they choose as their lifelong mate.

Then I saw the photo that hurt the most.

The three of them stood together. Kevin was in the middle, one arm around Stacey, the other holding Matt's hand. He smiled so warmly. They looked like the perfect family.

I clenched my phone so hard my knuckles turned white. The ache in my chest spread little by little until I could barely breathe.

I swallowed every bit of bitterness and pretended everything was fine. All I could do was wait for Oliver's sixth birthday.

Kevin had promised to throw him a huge birthday party. He said he'd invite everyone in the community and make it up to our son.

Oliver believed him. For two whole weeks, he looked forward to that day.

Every afternoon, he'd sit at his desk handmaking invitations. He carefully drew little wolf designs on each card and slowly wrote every guest's name.

One day Oliver ran over, holding the invitations with both hands like they were treasures.

Looking up at me with hopeful eyes, he asked, "Mom, Daddy's definitely coming to my birthday, right?"

I crouched down and kissed his cheek. "He will. Daddy promised you. He'll be here on time."

On Oliver's birthday, Kevin really did show up on schedule.

The moment Oliver saw him, he lit up and ran straight into his father's arms.

"Daddy! Daddy, you're home!"

Kevin scooped him up with a grin. "How could I miss my son's birthday? Work can wait."

The guests smiled, commenting on what a close father and son they were.

Oliver wrapped both arms tightly around Kevin's neck, smiling so brightly his eyes curved into crescents.

Kevin carried him to the birthday cake and gently set him down. He picked up a match and leaned over to light the candles.

Just then, his phone started vibrating violently.

Kevin answered. Stacey's panicked sobs came through immediately.

"Kevin! Something terrible happened! Matt fell out of a tree and hit his head. He's unconscious! I don't know what to do!"

Kevin's face changed instantly. "Stay there. I'm on my way."

I reached out to stop him. But he was already running out the door.

His voice drifted back from outside. "Oliver, wait for me. I'll be back soon."

Oliver silently watched his father's disappearing figure. The light in his eyes faded away, little by little.

When Kevin was finally gone, Oliver turned toward all the guests in the yard and calmly said, "Dad had something important to do. Let's eat. The party's starting."

A six-year-old child politely welcomed every guest. He passed out slices of cake, handed everyone drinks, and thanked them for coming. His manners were flawless.

Everyone exchanged awkward looks. Not a single person dared mention Kevin's absence.

From beginning to end, Oliver never spoke another word. He never smiled again.

After the party ended, he quietly sat at the table drawing. When he finished, he climbed into bed and fell asleep.

It wasn't until late that night that Kevin finally came home.

"Where's my son? I brought him a present."

I forced down the pain in my chest and asked, "You've been gone all day, and now you remember you have a son?"

Kevin frowned. "Matt was seriously hurt. He was unconscious the whole time. Stacey couldn't handle it by herself. He needed me more than Oliver did. It's only a birthday party. We can throw him another one next year."

He dismissed the birthday Oliver had waited so long for as if it meant nothing.

I didn't have the energy to argue anymore. Instead, I walked into Oliver's room to check on him.

A drawing sat on his desk. It was a family portrait.

In the picture, Oliver and I stood close together. Where Kevin should have been, there was only a thick patch of black crayon.

The corners of the paper were wrinkled from being gripped over and over again. I could almost feel the sadness he'd tried so hard to hold back while drawing it.

Staring at that dark blotch, I felt my throat tighten until I could barely breathe.

Oliver had erased Kevin completely. He hadn't even left his father a place in the picture.

I carefully folded the drawing and put it away.

If my son no longer wanted a father... Then I would respect his choice.