Chained by our past

Chapter 13

Isla Calloway had spent years building walls.

They weren’t the kind people could see—no, her walls were invisible, built from years of discipline, calculated choices, and a firm belief that love was a liability she couldn’t afford.

And yet, Lucas Reyes was breaking through them.

She had seen it last night—the way he had held Leo like it was the most natural thing in the world. The way their son had looked up at him with trust, with admiration.

The way she had wanted to believe him when he told her to let him in.

That terrified her more than anything.

Because Lucas wasn’t just stepping into Leo’s life. He was stepping into hers.

And if she wasn’t careful, she might actually let him stay.

The next morning, Isla stood at the kitchen counter, staring at the freshly brewed coffee in her hands.

She hadn’t slept much. Too many thoughts. Too many feelings. Too much Lucas.

The sound of small footsteps pulled her from her thoughts.

Leo padded into the kitchen, still in his dinosaur pajamas, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He climbed onto a stool at the breakfast bar, yawning.

"Morning, Mama."

She smiled softly, ruffling his hair. "Good morning, sweetheart. Hungry?"

Leo nodded. "Can I have pancakes?"

"Of course." She turned to grab the pancake mix, grateful for the distraction of routine.

As she started cooking, Leo swung his feet beneath the stool, watching her.

"Is Daddy coming today?"

The question made her hands still for a fraction of a second.

She recovered quickly, flipping a pancake. "I don’t know, baby. Why?"

Leo shrugged. "I like when he’s here."

Isla swallowed hard. "You do?"

Leo nodded. "He’s fun. And he listens to me. And he knows a lot about dinosaurs."

A small, sharp pain pierced her chest.

Leo had never lacked love. She had given him everything—but what if, deep down, he had been missing something she couldn’t give him?

"Do you like spending time with him?" she asked softly.

Leo’s eyes brightened. "Yeah!"

Her throat tightened.

Because, for the first time, she realized—Lucas wasn’t just a presence in Leo’s life now.

He was becoming someone Leo needed.

And that scared her.

Later that afternoon, Lucas showed up at her penthouse without warning.

He strode in like he belonged there, like he had every right to be in her space.

And maybe, just maybe, he did.

Isla folded her arms. "You could at least call before showing up."

Lucas smirked. "If I did that, you’d find an excuse to avoid me."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. "What do you want, Lucas?"

He leaned against the counter, his eyes locked onto hers. "I have a proposition for you."

Isla raised an eyebrow. "Another one? Should I be taking notes?"

Lucas chuckled. "No need. This one’s simple."

He exhaled, his expression shifting into something more serious.

"Let’s take Leo on a trip."

She blinked. "What?"

"A weekend getaway," Lucas said. "Just the three of us."

Isla’s chest tightened. "That’s a terrible idea."

"Why?" Lucas challenged.

She scoffed. "Because we agreed to keep things slow. Controlled."

Lucas studied her, his gaze too sharp, too knowing.

"Leo is already getting attached," he said. "He wants to spend time with me. You see it, Isla. You hear it every time he asks for me."

Her fingers curled into fists. "That’s not the point—"

"It is the point," Lucas cut in, stepping closer. "This isn’t just about what you want anymore. It’s about him."

The words hit their mark.

Because he was right.

Leo wanted Lucas around.

And no matter how much Isla tried to protect herself, she couldn’t deny that truth.

She exhaled sharply. "Where would we even go?"

Lucas’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. "The Hamptons."

She narrowed her eyes. "Of course you have a house there."

"Several," he said smugly.

She groaned. "You’re impossible."

Lucas grinned. "And yet, you’re still thinking about it."

That night, Isla sat in her bedroom, staring at the ceiling, Lucas’s words playing on repeat in her head.

This isn’t just about you. It’s about him.

She had spent years protecting Leo, making sure he never felt like he was missing something.

But maybe… maybe he had been.

And maybe Lucas was the missing piece.

The thought terrified her.

Because if she let Lucas in—really let him in—what happened when he left?

What happened if Leo got hurt?

What happened if she did?

But when she closed her eyes, all she saw was Leo’s face when he talked about Lucas.

And she knew.

She had already made her decision.