The Hockey Star’s Secret Son

Chapter Three

Sienna's POV

Pulling up in the parking lot, a high pitched voice broke through the air.

“Mom!”

My son's familiar shout reached my ears, but before I could look, I felt a weight around my waist causing me to stumble slightly.

“Hey there little guy,” I cooed, brushing his hair back as I squinched his face. “How was school today?”

“Bad.” He replied, little face scrunched up as he folded his arms with a mini glare.

He looked so cute, his blue green eyes, tinting with sadness that had my heart clenching.

Crouching, I smoothened his hair, my eyes flickering to his teacher, Miss Peach in acknowledgment before landing on my son. “Are you mad at mommy?”

“Yeah,” My son poured, tears glistening in his eyes. “Everybody's mom came, but you weren't there.”

“Oh baby, I am sorry, I really tried, but something came up.” I explained, distress clouding my features.

I studied him, watching his lower lips tremble, the sight sending another painful stab in my heart. “But you promised.”

“I know, and I am sorry.” I placed a kiss on his forehead, “I promise to make it up to you another time.”

“That's what you always say!” He yelled, pushing my hands off him. “You never have time for me, and now that uncle is sick, you don't play with me anymore!”

“Caleb!” I cried, pale in shock by his outburst, but he ran past me dashing towards my car.

He slammed the door shut with a bang, the sound similar to my shattering heart.

My eyes stung as tears pricked, my face turning bloodless.

It wasn't my fault things were like this.

Caleb, despite turning six, was still a kid, but it hurt so much to hear him say that to me.

I was his mother, of course I loved him.

I might not have loved how he came, but he was all I had now that my brother was dying.

“Miss Blake?” Miss Peach tentatively called, “Are you alright?”

Blinking rapidly, I took a deep breath, holding back on my emotions.

“Sorry for that.” I gave a small smile. “And thanks for asking, I am good.”

She nodded her head in understanding, and I was a million times grateful she didn't press it or talk more on the issue.

“Miss Blake, I know you have a lot of work, but today was really important. I stressed that last week.”

“I know, I just…” I closed my eyes, opening them with a sigh. “I thought I was going to make it.”

“Then I'll just brief you on what happened at the meeting.” She went on to say, and I nodded, face growing tight with each word she said.

In short, the drive back to my apartment was quiet.

I had a sulking, angry six year old, who refused to look at me no matter what I said, and a nagging worry in my head.

Looking at him from the rearview mirror, I could only hear Miss Peach’s words.

“Miss Blake, I hate to inform you, but Caleb is showing signs of withdrawal and aggression.”

Aggression? Withdrawal?

How?

My son was only six, how was this happening?

Was some of it my fault for not being there with him?

The more I thought about it, the more I felt guilty.

I was young and foolish I know, but getting pregnant at nineteen, and being thrown out by your parents for it, does a lot to someone.

And it wasn't helping that my child looked like him. From his eyes, to the hair, and even his face.

Now, worse, he was taking on his character. Just like him.

I gripped the steering wheels tightly, pushing all those thoughts house, as we made it home.

I took Caleb out of the car, both of us heading towards the apartment I had rented when we moved here three months ago.

“Miss Blake.” A voice harshly called, causing me and Caleb to halt, turning to see a frowning middle aged woman walking down the hall towards us.

“Good afternoon Mrs Meyers.” I greeted, but she barely gave me a look.

To her, I probably came off as a poor church rat with a child from who–knows–where; considering her daughter got married to a wealthy young man.

“Mmn,” she snorted with a condescending look in her eyes. “I can see you started working. Good. So I expect the rest of my payment, at the end of this month.”

“Yes.” I simply answered, not wanting her to linger, and she skidded off with the loud clinking of her shoes.

Watching her leave, I opened the door, noting how Caleb dashed into his room the second we got in.

The apartment was a small flat, with the kitchen and living room joined together, and two bedrooms that could barely fit our beds, but we made it work.

After moving from Switzerland down to New York, things were rough on us, so this was all we could manage for now.

I let out another deep sigh, feeling the weight on my shoulders grow heavy.

I was exhausted.

Mentally and physically and I didn't know how long I could last.

On the first day of work, I saw the one person I loathed, the man who ruined my life without even knowing it, and worse he threatened me.

Now, my son hates me for not attending his meeting at school, and now I was being pressed with bills.

Could this day get any worse?

Like the universe had heard, the landline at home suddenly started ringing.

I sighed, picking up the phone since it won't stop ringing. “Hello?”

“Hi, Miss Blake Sienna? This is fountain spring hospital, we are calling to inform you that your brother had a mild relapse in his illness, and your attention is needed in the hospital.”

“What?!” I screamed, heart thumping in shock.

I heard Caleb's door open, probably due to my voice being loud, but I was too stunned to accept what was happening around me.

“Miss Blake?” I must have been silent for a while for the nurse to repeat my name, but that had me snapping back to reality.

“Um, yes, I, I will be there soon, thanks.” I said, cutting the call.

Grabbing my hair, I paced in the room, heart beating.

George had a relapse?

How? He had been doing fine for two months now, so why now?

What went wrong?

“Mom?” Caleb called, tilting his head slightly, still standing beside his room's door. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing honey, just go to your room, I'll need to step out for a while.” I said, quickly arranging my messy hair and grabbing my things to head out.

Caleb stepped forward, his tiny hands grabbing the teddy bear I had given him on his birthday. “Can I come with you?”

“No, honey, this is important.” I dismissed, grabbing the keys. “Lock the door, and don't let anyone in.”

“It's about uncle and I want to see him.” Caleb insisted, rushing to grab my hand. “Please, I want to talk with him.”

Looking at those pleading blue green eyes, I felt my resolve weaken.

The still glistening unshed tears, just sensing a stab to me.

Gosh I was pathetic.

“Fine.” I finally agreed, hoping not to regret it. “Wear a coat and let's go.”

I said, watching as he excitedly dashing into his room, bringing out his favorite coat to put on.

He reached for my hands, and I grabbed it, pulling him into the car, as I drove us to the hospital and dashed in.

The walls were white, the air of antiseptic and blood all mixed in and rushing to my nose in assault.

Everything to me was playing in slow motion, from the call, to the drive, my system was still in shock, but who knew an even greater shock awaited me, and he was standing right in front of my brother's ward.

“What are you doing here Blake?”