Chapter 11 — The Past Comes Back
519 Words
Ella thought she was prepared.
She thought seeing Lucas again after five years would only bring back anger.
She thought she had already moved on.
But watching him become a father was different.
Because Lucas wasn’t the same man who broke her heart.
At least… not anymore.
⸻
“Mommy, look!”
Noah ran into the room holding a small toy car.
“Daddy bought me this!”
Ella smiled slightly.
“Daddy?”
Noah nodded happily.
“He said we’re going to build a big race track next time.”
The excitement in his voice made Ella’s heart soften.
She wanted to protect Noah from pain.
But she also wanted him to have the love he deserved.
⸻
Later that afternoon, Lucas arrived to pick Noah up.
“I’ll bring him back before dinner.”
Ella nodded.
Then she noticed something.
Lucas wasn’t wearing his expensive suit.
He was dressed casually.
“You changed your schedule?”
Lucas looked at her.
“For Noah.”
Those simple words affected her more than they should have.
Because five years ago, she begged him for time.
And he was always too busy.
⸻
At the park, Noah ran around happily.
Lucas sat on the bench watching him.
For the first time in years, he felt peaceful.
Then a little girl nearby asked:
“Is that your son?”
Lucas smiled.
“Yes.”
The word came naturally.
His son.
A smile appeared on his face.
But then the little girl’s mother said:
“He looks just like you.”
Lucas looked at Noah.
And his smile faded.
Because everyone could see it.
Everyone except him five years ago.
⸻
That evening, Lucas brought Noah home.
Ella opened the door.
But before he left, he stopped.
“Ella.”
She looked up.
“What?”
“I need to tell you something.”
The serious tone made her nervous.
“What happened?”
Lucas took a breath.
“People are starting to notice.”
Her expression changed.
“What do you mean?”
“News about my son will spread eventually.”
Ella became tense.
“No.”
Lucas looked at her.
“I’m not saying that to scare you.”
“You don’t understand.”
Her voice became emotional.
“I don’t want Noah becoming a headline.”
Lucas went quiet.
Because he understood.
His world was different.
His name attracted attention.
And Noah was innocent.
“I’ll protect him,” Lucas said.
Ella looked at him.
“You couldn’t protect me.”
The words hurt.
But Lucas accepted them.
Because she was right.
⸻
That night, Lucas sat alone in his office.
A picture of Ella and Noah was on his desk.
His phone rang.
His assistant.
“Sir… there’s a problem.”
Lucas frowned.
“What happened?”
“We found out someone from your past has returned.”
Lucas froze.
“Who?”
A pause.
Then the answer came.
“Amelia Brooks.”
Lucas’s expression changed.
Because he knew…
The peaceful life he was building with Ella and Noah was about to be tested.
Chapter 11 End.
- Writer
