Chapter 147
Bria’s voice came through the phone, gentle and caring. “Hey, Steven, are you feeling any better today p>
“Yeah, much better. Once I’m completely back on my feet, I’ll come see you p>
She sounded thrilled. “I’ll be waiting. Honestly, I can’t wait to finally see our son in person and just hold him for real p>
“I sent you photos of him, didn’t I p>
She laughed softly. “Photos aren’t the same. I want to actually hold him, hear him call me Mommy… I want the real thing p>
Steven smiled, but it felt tight, a lump caught in his throat.
“Steven, thank you. Thank you for thinking of me and taking care of everything. All these years, every time you came to visit, I heard every word. Your
encouragement kept me going, pushed me to fight to wake up. I’m so grateful for that, and just… so happy right now p>
Steven’s nose stung. He spoke softly, “You’ll be even happier from now on. I promise p>
“Of course we will. We have to make the most of every day from now on. I always knew I could count on you, Steven. I never regretted trusting you p>
“I know. Thank you for loving me so much p>
Steven didn’t know what to say. His heart was a mess. Over the past few years, he’d flown out to Switzerland every six months to see her. He’d told her everything -every detail about his life, his work, his struggles. When he got married, he must have explained his reasons a hundred times, telling her it was only a business arrangement, that there was no love between him and his wife, that it was all for Bria. He’d even joked about what a terrible person he must be for doing this.
The truth was, sometimes he’d repeated those lies so often that even he started to believe them. Really, he just needed someone to confide in, to let out all his darkness. He never expected she’d actually hear it all, let alone wake up one day.
“Steven? Why are you so quiet p>
“I’m here I just want to listen to you p>
“I want to hear your voice. I really can’t wait to see you p>
“Alright. As soon as I’m better, I’ll come get you p>
“Next time you come, you have to bring our son. Promise me you won’t forget p>
“Don’t worry. I won’t forget p>
“Okay. I miss you. I love you p>
“Love you too p>
They talked for another ten minutes or so before running out of things to say, and finally hung up.
Afterwards, Steven leaned back against the headboard, feeling a heavy pressure in his chest that he couldn’t shake.
What am I supposed to do now?
He pulled up a family photo on his phone: him, Lucie, and Cody, all smiling. The sight of it made his heart ache even more.
He couldn’t resist dialing Lucie’s number.
“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later p>
He let out a frustrated sigh.
It didn’t matter if it was Bria or
strong
women were
they could ever get along. He could
led, and there was not
only choose one.
That afternoon, Steven was finally discharged and went home.
At the Heath family estate, Cody came running the moment he walked in. “Daddy, you’re home p>
“Hey, buddy. What are you up to?” Steven asked, scooping Cody up into his arms.
“I’m playing with my Legos. Will you play with me p>
“Of course.” Steven smiled, ruffling Cody’s hair and sitting down with him.
Cody was just a kid, caught up in his toys. He didn’t notice the worry written all over his dad’s face.
“Cody p>
“Yeah, Daddy p>
Cody paused, a Lego brick in his hand. He looked up at Steven, curious. “Are you
going to make Aunt Shannon my new mommy p>
Steven blinked, surprised, and was
lost for words. Cody was still too little to understand how complicated things really were. Steven wasn’t
even sure if Cody could accept Bria.
Cody thought for a bit, then shook his head firmly. “I don’t want a new mommy p>
“Why not? I thought you didn’t like your mommy p>
Cody tilted his head, considering. “Well… it’s not that I don’t like her. I just got upset because she never wanted to play with me. But my new daddy taught me about being good to your parents. He said Mommy went through a lot to have me, and f should be a good son and be nice to her p>
Steven frowned, feeling that ache in his head again.
Cody added, “And he said if I wasn’t nice to Mommy, he’d hit me every time he
saw me. And cut off my ears p>