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“Is breakfast ready?” Maddox asked. “I’m hungry.”
Ellie smoothed her hand over his hair, and it was completely natural for her. “Yes, baby.”
For a moment, I was struck by the rightness of the situation. The kids. Me. Ellie.
I joined the others at the table, marveling at how…happy the kids seemed. Despite what had happened with Rex, they were talking and having fun. And that was all because of the woman sitting across from me. The woman with the purple hair and the pouty pink lips. The woman who had turned our life upside down in the best possible way.
Ever since Tessa’s death, I’d felt like I was spinning. Spinning. Spinning. Like taking a ride on those damn teacups the kids loved.
But then Ellie had come into our lives and promised order. Routine. Control.
More importantly, Ellie had brought joy and light back into the house. Back to my children. And last night, I’d nearly fucked it all up.
I’d been reckless. Irresponsible.
It didn’t matter that I’d liked it. It didn’t matter that she’d seemed to like it too. Her response was irrelevant; I had no right to behave the way I did. I owed her an apology.
After breakfast, the kids went to watch cartoons, and I started cleaning up. Ellie grabbed some dishes and brought them to the sink.
I moved closer to her, careful to keep my voice low despite the hum of the TV in the background. “Thank you for handling everything with Rex last night. I really appreciate it.”
Her answering smile was tired. “No worries.”
“Still. That was…irresponsible of me. And definitely more than should be expected of you.”
She frowned. “Expectedof me?” There was hurt in her tone, so I replayed my words.
“No.” I placed my hand on her arm but quickly retracted it. “That’s not what I meant. I just—” I huffed. “I appreciate all that you’re doing, and I’d never want you to feel like I’ve taken advantage of the situation.”Or you.
“Tristan, I said it’s fine.” Though she still seemed annoyed. “I understand that you weren’t exactly…” She hesitated as if searching for the right word then said, “Yourself last night.”
I should’ve been relieved. Part of mewasrelieved. But then why did I feel somehow disappointed?
Like I’d shown her a part of me I hadn’t even known existed. It was as if I craved dominance, especially when everything else in my life felt so out of control. And Ellie wanted nothing to do with it—me.
* * *
When I got homefrom work a few days later, the house was noisy and full of life. It almost felt like old times.Almost.
I kicked off my shoes and loosened my tie before heading into the kitchen.
Savannah was at the table doing homework with River. Ellie watched on from the counter, where she was cutting apples for their snack. Maddox was wild, wilder than normal, which could only mean one thing.
“No nap,” Ellie mouthed.
I shook my head. I’d figured as much. He was wired because he was so tired.
Despite the chaos, at least things between Ellie and me had returned to normal. She hadn’t mentioned the night of Rex’s surgery again, and neither had I. It was almost as if it had never happened. Or at least it would’ve been, if only I could stop thinking about it.
I took a seat at the table with Savannah and River. They were telling me about their day at school when there was a loud crash. Everything and everyone stilled, a tense moment of silence following.
I rushed over to Maddox, holding my breath as I tried to stay calm. The silence was the worst. Because I knew any minute…Yep. He started wailing. His face red, fists balled up. Rex howled as if to alert us, and Savannah hurried to my side.
“Maddox, what happened? Where does it hurt?” Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked up at me with fear. “Dad, do something! Call 9-1-1.”
“Sweetheart,” I said in a calm voice as I assessed Maddox. He was breathing. There was no blood. As far as I could tell, he’d tripped on the rug and was just a little shaken up. “Let’s give him a minute. Can you get some ice?”
She nodded and ran to the kitchen to grab an ice pack. I moved closer, trying to assess the situation. Was he hurt or just scared? Both?
