Between Two Hearts

37

Shelly sat at the kitchen table, absently stirring her coffee as her thoughts spiraled. Veer’s sudden reappearance churned up memories she had spent years suppressing—pain, anger, and a profound sense of betrayal. Yet, more than anything, she felt fear. What if he meant what he said? What if he fought for custody? Shaina was her whole world, and she couldn’t bear the thought of Veer disrupting the life they had built.

Across the room, Spencer leaned against the counter, watching her closely. He had stayed to make sure she was okay, but Shelly could feel his concern pressing down on her like a weight.

“You’re overthinking again,” Spencer said, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

Shelly looked up, startled. “I can’t help it. Veer doesn’t make empty threats.”

“I gathered that,” Spencer said, crossing his arms. “But you’re not alone in this. You don’t have to handle him by yourself.”

She shook her head, letting out a humorless laugh. “I appreciate the sentiment, but you don’t know Veer. He’s manipulative, charming when it suits him, and he always gets what he wants.”

Spencer pushed off the counter and walked over to her, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. “He doesn’t get to control your life anymore, Shelly. Not you, and definitely not Shaina.”

His words settled over her like a balm, but they weren’t enough to ease the tightness in her chest. “It’s not that simple,” she said softly. “I’m her mother, but legally...he still has rights.”

Spencer’s jaw tightened. “Then we fight. Whatever it takes to protect you and Shaina, I’m in.”

Shelly stared at him, her emotions a tangled mess of gratitude and guilt. Spencer’s loyalty was overwhelming, but part of her wondered if she was dragging him into something he didn’t deserve.

“I don’t want you to feel obligated,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He crouched down so their eyes were level. “Shelly, this isn’t about obligation. I care about you. About both of you. Let me help.”

---

Later that afternoon, Shelly decided to focus on something productive to calm her nerves. She took Shaina to the park, hoping the fresh air would lighten her mood. The sound of children laughing and the sight of Shaina racing toward the swings brought a small smile to her face.

But her peace was short-lived.

“Shelly.”

Her heart sank as she turned to see Veer standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. He was dressed casually, but his presence felt anything but.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

“I came to see my daughter,” he said smoothly, his eyes darting to where Shaina was playing.

“She’s fine without you,” Shelly snapped. “You had your chance, Veer. You don’t get to decide now that you’re suddenly ready to play father.”

Veer’s expression hardened. “I know I made mistakes, Shelly. But I’ve changed. I deserve a chance to prove that.”

“You don’t get to use her to make yourself feel better about what you did,” Shelly shot back. “She’s not a second chance for you. She’s my daughter, and I will protect her.”

Veer took a step closer, lowering his voice. “I’m not here to argue, Shelly. I’m here because I love her. I’m willing to fight for her if I have to.”

Shelly felt her stomach drop. She had known this was coming, but hearing him say it out loud made it real. She opened her mouth to respond, but another voice cut in.

“She doesn’t need your love, Veer.”

Both of them turned to see Spencer approaching, his expression unreadable. He stopped next to Shelly, his stance protective.

Veer smirked. “Ah, the knight in shining armor. You don’t know anything about this, so stay out of it.”

Spencer’s eyes didn’t waver. “I know enough. I know you cheated on Shelly, abandoned her when she needed you most, and now you think you can just walk back into her life like nothing happened.”

Veer’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flash of anger. “This is between me and Shelly.”

“No,” Spencer said firmly. “This is about Shaina. And you don’t get to hurt her the way you hurt Shelly.”

Shelly’s chest tightened as she watched the confrontation. Part of her wanted to step in, to diffuse the tension, but another part of her—one she wasn’t used to listening to—felt relieved. For once, she wasn’t standing alone.

“You think you can replace me?” Veer sneered. “You think Shelly wants you playing daddy to my daughter?”

Spencer’s calm demeanor cracked, his voice dropping dangerously low. “I think Shelly and Shaina deserve better than you. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Veer took a step back, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t over, Shelly,” he said, his tone colder than before. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

He turned and walked away, leaving Shelly trembling in the aftermath. Spencer turned to her, his face softening.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

Shelly nodded, though her voice wavered when she spoke. “I don’t know how to handle this.”

“You don’t have to figure it out alone,” he said. “We’ll get through it. Together.”

As Shaina ran over, blissfully unaware of the tension that had just unfolded, Shelly felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she had always believed.