Chapter4
786 Words
Three Years Later
“Rita, can you walk faster?” Jamie huffed, shifting Lewis in her arms. The two-year-old had fallen asleep at the store, and carrying him along with four grocery bags was torture.
Her roommate barely glanced up from her phone, dragging her feet even slower.
“Rita!” Jamie snapped, standing in the middle of the damn road. “At least give me the keys!”
The girl shot her a glare. “Figure it out yourself.”
Jamie bit back a curse, adjusting the sleeping toddler. Rita had been moody all day, but was this really necessary? Their neighborhood wasn’t exactly safe, and she couldn’t walk faster only to remain standing at the door with her hands full like a prime target.
She forced out a breath. “Please, Rita. I’ll find mine later, I swear.”
“Not my problem.”
Jamie’s throat tightened. She was too exhausted for this. Two sleepless nights tending to Lewis’ fever, two grueling shifts at the restaurant and bar. She barely had energy to stand, let alone argue.
She sniffed, using her shoulder to wipe away the tears before they could fall. Spotting a nearby bench, she made her way over and sank down, hoping Lewis wouldn’t wake. He was only at peace in her arms, and honestly, she didn’t mind.
Because when he was asleep, he wasn’t crying. Or shivering. Or burning up with another fever the doctors had no explanation for.
Jamie shut her eyes, the weight of the past three years pressing down on her.
What if she’d told Lucas the truth that night? What if she’d never gotten pregnant? What if she’d gone back?
She exhaled sharply. Doesn’t matter. She had Lewis. And she had to keep moving.
“Is this seat taken?”
A deep voice cut through her thoughts.
She blinked, turning to see a man with dyed green hair tied at his nape and unnatural green eyes.
“It’s public,” she murmured, brushing away any trace of emotion.
He grinned and sat beside her.
Jamie stole a glance. Too clean. Too confident. The kind of guy who had options. Because, these days, every man she met carried a price tag in her mind. Lewis needed a father, someone rich.
As if sensing her gaze, he smirked. “Do I have something in my hair?”
She flushed.
“No,” she muttered, shifting Lewis closer.
He eyed the sleeping child. “Your son?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
Jamie raised a brow. “I’m not going to like your next question, am I?”
His lips twitched. “Probably not.”
“Then don’t ask. Goodbye.” She stood, hefting Lewis and the bags.
“Wait, you’re actually carrying all that?” He looked genuinely alarmed.
She kept walking. Stupid question.
But suddenly, he was in front of her, arms out. “Nope. That won’t do.”
She sighed. “Now what?”
“At least let me carry the bags.”
She hesitated, pride warring with exhaustion. Finally, she dropped two.
“Oh no, you don’t.” He took all four.
She scoffed but started walking. A few moments later, he groaned, “We’re not going to the bus station, are we?”
She smirked. “Nope.”
“How long?”
“Few minutes.”
“Seven?”
“Something like that.”
“Fifteen?”
“Close.”
He groaned dramatically, stepping in front of her again. “Look, I don’t mean to be presumptuous, my good lady, but would you terribly mind if we… took a car?”
Jamie chuckled. “Don’t have one.”
“I do.” His eyes twinkled. “And you didn’t say no, so,”
Lewis stirred in her arms, his tiny body trembling.
Jamie stiffened.
Not now.
It always started this way, shaking, silent tears, a fever burning beneath his skin. The doctors had no answers. Neither did she.
“Fine,” she murmured, focusing on soothing her son.
The man grinned. “Be right back.”
Jamie barely registered him running off. Her attention was on Lewis, who was now clutching at her like he was in pain.
Her heart squeezed.
Then, a car honked beside her.
She glanced up. The car was sleek, expensive, and completely out of place in their neighborhood.
She shook her head. “Your car won’t survive here.”
He scoffed. “I can handle myself.”
She opened her mouth to argue but then Lewis shuddered violently, his silent cries breaking her.
Screw it.
Without another word,she slid into the back seat
The man looked at them strangely but didn’t question it. He just got in and drove.
- Writer
