“He cried,” Natalie whispered. “But he tried to hide it. He kept wiping his face with his shirt so I wouldn’t notice. And then he asked if it was because of him.” Her voice broke on the last word.
Cece’s heart ached. She closed her eyes. “Kids always think that. Even when it’s the furthest thing from the truth.”
“I told him exactly that.” Natalie sniffed. “I told him his dad’s choices were his own, and they had nothing to do with him. And he nodded but…I don’t know if he believed me. And I don’t really want to tell him the real truth. Not yet. Maybe in a few more years. He’s still my baby. I don’t want to ruin his childhood like this.”
Cece swallowed. “I know, I understand that. He will get it, though. Just keep telling him you love him and that it’s not his fault.”
“I will. I am.” There was a pause. Not silence. Cece could hear Nat breathing, processing, maybe even getting herself together so she didn’t break down.
Cece got her tea out of the microwave, giving her daughter time to compose herself.
“Jim texted,” Natalie said finally. “He wants to meet tomorrow. Says he ‘deserves’ to talk to Tyler.”
Cece’s jaw tightened. She didn’t love that, but JimwasTyler’s dad. “Mm-hmm. And what doyouwant?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice cracked. “Part of me wants to tell him to stay out of Tyler’s life for good. The other part…” She sucked in a breath.
Cece understood. She’d felt the same thing when her husband had left. “Wants Tyler to have a father,” she finished softly. “Even if Jim is a lousy husband.”
Natalie let out a shaky laugh. “Pretty much.”
“But at the same time, you don’t want Jim poisoning Tyler against you or making him think, even for a single second, that cheating is okay.”
“Exactly.” Nat’s voice was much more stable now.
Cece tapped her fingers on the table, thinking carefully before she spoke. “Let him talk to Tyler—if you feel up to it. But do it on your terms. Neutral place, set amount of time, no guilt on Ty, no rewriting history and trying to pretend he didn’t cheat. No lies. You make the boundaries clear.”
“He’ll push back on that. I know him.”
“Then no meeting. And you call me for support if you need it.”
Natalie’s hesitation was palpable. “You always make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” Cece said. “But you’re stronger than you think. You’re my daughter, after all.”
Natalie sniffed again. “I’m trying.”
“I know you are. And I’m proud of you. So proud, sweetheart. This is going to be hard, but I’m here for you. I want you to know that.”
There was a soft, muffled sound, maybe Natalie wiping her eyes, maybe trying not to cry at all.
“Thanks, Mom,” she whispered. “Really. I don’t think I could get through this without you.”
Cece’s throat tightened. If she could handle this whole thing and save her daughter the grief, she’d do it in a heartbeat. “You would,” she said. “But I’m glad I can help. Listen, how are things going with the lawyer?”
Natalie huffed out a sigh. “Not great. To be honest, I don’t like him. He doesn’t seem like he’s going to fight for me.”
“Then you need someone different. Hey, you want me to do the research for you? Gather some names?” She already knew Joe could help her with that.
“I hate to ask for more help, but that would actually be great.”
“You got it. In fact, cancel that appointment. I know I can find you someone better.”
They talked for another minute before Natalie signed off to get Tyler ready for his soccer game. When the call ended, Cece sat alone with her cooling tea, staring at the quiet kitchen.
Helping Blaise. Helping Natalie. Keeping the pieces together.
She exhaled slowly.
