Chapter 7
832 Words
SLOANE
The auditorium hums with the soft noise of parents settling in, teachers shuffling papers, and children whispering excitedly. But beneath all of it, I feel something else — a strange, quiet certainty humming under my skin.
Caleb sits on my lap, warm and solid, his small fingers curled into my blouse like he’s afraid I’ll vanish if he lets go. Maybe he remembers me in ways he can’t explain. Maybe some part of him recognizes the mother who died loving him.
I held him a little tighter.
Ava stands a few rows back, stiff as a board, smiling too hard. Hunter is beside her, arms crossed, jaw tight. I don’t look at them directly, but I feel their discomfort like heat on my skin.
Good.
A teacher steps up to the microphone. “Parents, please take your seats. We’re about to begin.”
Ava moves immediately, her heels clicking too fast as she approaches me.
“Caleb, sweetie, come sit with me and Daddy. You don't want to wrinkle her clothes, right?”
Caleb doesn’t even lift his head from my shoulder.
Ava’s smile twitches.
I stroke his back gently. “He’s fine here.”
Ava blinks, thrown off. “But—”
Hunter steps in, voice low and irritated. “Sloane, don’t make a scene.”
I finally look up at him.
“I’m not making a scene,” I say calmly. “I’m sitting with my son. You can sit with us if you want. There are two chairs for parents.”
Hunter’s jaw flexes and took his seat beside me. Ava’s eyes widen. Caleb snuggles closer.
The teacher clears her throat at the microphone. “Everyone, please settle.”
Ava retreats, forced to sit two rows behind me — a place she has never been relegated to before. She looks like someone shoved her off a throne.
The ceremony starts with the younger grades. Parents clap politely, teachers beam, and children wave shyly from the stage.
But my attention is on Caleb.
The way he leans into me and keeps glancing up with a soft, adoring smile. His hand refuses to let go of mine.
In my past life, I missed this. I was always working, sacrificing and trying to prove I was enough.
Not this time.
When his class is called, Caleb hops off my lap and turns to me, eyes bright.
“Mommy, look!”
The word hits me like a punch and a balm at the same time.
Hunter stiffens.
A few parents turn, surprised.
I smile at him. “I’m watching, baby. Go on.”
He runs to join his classmates, waving at me from the stage with both hands.
Ava leans forward, whisper‑hissing to Hunter, “What is going on?"
Hunter doesn’t answer.
He’s staring at me — at the way I sit tall, calm, unbothered.
At the woman he doesn’t recognize anymore.
The teacher lifts a small certificate.
“And our Outstanding Kindness Award goes to… Caleb Valeheart!”
Caleb’s face lights up like the sun.
He runs forward, accepts the certificate, and immediately turns toward me.
“Mommy! Mommy, look!”
I clap, smiling so hard my cheeks ache. “I see it, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
Ava’s smile cracks.
Hunter’s expression darkens.
Parents glance between us, sensing the tension.
Caleb stands with the other award recipients, but he keeps glancing back at me every few seconds, as if making sure I’m still there.
As if I’m the anchor in his world.
And I am.
When the ceremony ends, parents flood the aisles, eager to congratulate their children.
Ava rushes forward, reaching Caleb first.
“Caleb, honey, come take a picture with me!”
Caleb hesitates.
He looks at Ava.
Then at me.
Then back at Ava.
Ava’s smile trembles. “Come on, sweetie.”
Caleb takes one small step toward her.
Then he turns and runs straight into my arms.
Ava’s breath catches.
Hunter mutters something under his breath.
I lift Caleb easily, settling him on my hip. “Let’s take a picture,” I say, my voice gentle but firm.
Ava moves to stand beside us, but I shift subtly, positioning myself between her and Caleb without making it obvious.
The teacher snaps the photo.
Ava isn’t in it.
They both know it. And I don’t care.
As we walk out of the auditorium, Ava tries one last time.
“Caleb, sweetie, Daddy and I will take you for ice cream—”
“No,” Caleb says simply, tightening his arms around my neck. “I want Mommy.”
Ava’s face drains of color.
Hunter’s jaw clenches so hard a muscle jumps.
I kissed the top of Caleb’s head. “I’ll take him.”
Hunter steps forward, anger simmering. “Sloane, we need to talk.”
I meet his eyes.
“Not right now. Maybe later,” I say quietly.
Hunter freezes.
Ava stares.
Caleb clings to me. And I walk past them.
- Writer
