Between Two Hearts

chapter 38

The days following Veer’s reappearance were a blur of anxiety and strategizing. Shelly spent hours talking to a lawyer, gathering paperwork, and ensuring she had everything needed to protect Shaina. But through it all, Spencer was a steady presence. He helped with Shaina when Shelly felt too overwhelmed, cooked meals when she forgot to eat, and sat with her late at night when her worries threatened to drown her.

It was one of those late nights now. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the dishwasher. Shaina had fallen asleep hours ago, but Shelly was still up, pacing the living room. Spencer sat on the couch, watching her.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” he said with a small smile.

Shelly stopped and looked at him. “I can’t turn my brain off. What if Veer really tries to take her? What if—”

“Shelly,” Spencer interrupted, his tone firm but gentle. “You’re a great mom. No court is going to take Shaina away from you. Veer can’t just waltz in here and rewrite history.”

She sighed, sitting down beside him. “I know that logically, but it doesn’t make the fear go away.”

Spencer shifted closer, his knee brushing hers. “You don’t have to face this fear alone. You’ve got me. I’m not going anywhere.”

Shelly met his gaze, her heart doing an unfamiliar flip. Over the past weeks, Spencer had become more than a friend, though she’d been too afraid to admit it—even to herself. He was patient, kind, and dependable, everything Veer had never been. But what scared her most was the way he looked at her, like she wasn’t broken, like she was enough.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said quietly. “For everything.”

Spencer chuckled. “You don’t have to thank me, Shelly. I’m here because I want to be.”

She smiled, her first genuine one in days. “Still, it means a lot.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt heavier somehow, charged with an energy Shelly didn’t know how to handle. She could feel the warmth of Spencer’s body next to hers, and the weight of his gaze made her pulse quicken.

“You know,” Spencer said, breaking the silence, “I’ve wanted to tell you something for a while now.”

Shelly’s breath hitched. “What is it?”

He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want to complicate things for you. But I care about you, Shelly. More than I probably should.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to say it outright, though she couldn’t deny the way her stomach fluttered at his words.

“I...I don’t know what to say,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Spencer said quickly. “I just needed you to know. I’m not asking for anything, and I’m not trying to rush you. I’ll be here no matter what.”

Shelly looked down at her hands, her thoughts swirling. She wanted to tell him she felt the same, that he’d become her anchor in the chaos. But a part of her held back, afraid of getting hurt again, of trusting someone who might let her down.

“I’m scared,” she finally said, her voice trembling. “After everything with Veer, I don’t know if I can—”

Spencer reached out, gently taking her hand. “I get it. And I’m not going to push you. But I need you to know that I’m not Veer. I’m not going to hurt you.”

His words melted something inside her, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. It was a tentative kiss, soft and uncertain, but it carried everything she couldn’t put into words.

When she pulled back, Spencer looked at her, surprised but undeniably happy. “Does that mean you’re willing to give this a shot?” he asked, his tone teasing but hopeful.

Shelly smiled, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I think I am.”

Spencer grinned, pulling her into a warm hug. “You won’t regret it,” he promised.

For the first time in weeks, Shelly felt a weight lift off her chest. She didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in years, she felt like she wasn’t facing it alone.

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The next morning, Shelly woke to the smell of coffee and the sound of Shaina’s laughter. She walked into the kitchen to find Spencer making pancakes while Shaina sat on the counter, covered in flour.

“Good morning,” Spencer said, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.

“Good morning,” Shelly replied, her heart swelling at the sight. For the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace—a feeling she was starting to believe Spencer might have a lot to do with.