Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 112

Chapter 103

(Sabrina’s POV)

“Mom?”

Jake’s voice sounds distant. Like he’s speaking to me from the end of a long tunnel.

“Mom, are you okay?”

I blink, forcing myself to focus. We’re still in Dustin’s hospital room. He’s still lying in that bed, pale but

alive. Still waiting for my answer to his plea for reconciliation.

But all I can think about is Ethan.

When did he leave? How long has he been gone?

Why did he leave without saying anything?

“I’m fine, baby.” The lie tastes like ash. “Just… thinking.”

Dustin’s watching me with those hopeful eyes. Desperate. Pleading. Like his entire future hinges on what I

say next.

But I can’t be his salvation. Can’t give him what he wants.

Turning, I walk out of the room to look for a bathroom. Any bathroom. Somewhere private where I can pull myself together.

I find one near the elevators and lock myself in a stall.

For several minutes, I just stand there, breathing hard, trying to calm the panic rising in my chest.

Every time I try to imagine going back to him-sharing a home, sharing a bed, sharing a life-my body

revolts.

My hands shake. My chest tightens. Nausea rises so fast I barely make it to the toilet before I’m retching.

r Nothing comes up except bile and the remnants of coffee I had hours ago. But my body keeps heaving anyway, like it’s trying to purge the very idea of reconciliation from my system.

Tears stream down my face. I don’t know if they’re from the physical act of vomiting or the emotional breakdown I’ve been holding back since the park.

Probably both.

When my stomach finally settles, I flush and move to the sink. Rinse my mouth. Splash cold water on my face. Stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I look terrible. Eyes red-rimmed. Skin pale. Hair a mess from running my hands through it.

But more than that, I look haunted. Trapped. Like a woman facing an impossible choice.

Gustin saved my life. He threw himself in front of a knife. Nearly died protecting m

I can’t ignore or deny that

But does it erase seven years of neglect? Seven years of taking me for granted? Seven years of him. treating me like I was second best to the memory of Jessica?

Does one moment of sacrifice outweightyears of emotional abandonment?

I don’t know…

But one thing I do know is that I can’t get back with Dustin.

Even thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

So then why did I hesitate? Why didn’t I shut him down immediately?

My phone feels heavy in my pocket. I pull it out, staring at Ethan’s contact information. My thumb hovers over the call button.

I should give him a call, but what would I even say? Sorry for not immediately rejecting my ex-husband who just took a knife for me?

God, this is such a mess.

I take a deep breath. Then another. Force myself to calm down. To think rationally instead of emotionally.

To put my son’s needs first before my own. But if Jake wants to go back with Dustin…

I need to go back. Need to face whatever’s waiting in that hospital room. Need to figure this out before I lose control over everything.

After making sure my eyes aren’t too red, after fixing my hair and composing my expression into something resembling calm, I leave the bathroom.

And find Jake waiting right outside the door.

My heart stops. “Baby, why are you here? Did something happen to your dad?”

Please don’t let Dustin’s condition have worsened. Please don’t let this get even more complicated.

But Jake just looks at me with those too-wise eyes. “Mom, are you happy with Mr. Jason?”

The question catches me completely off-guard. “What?”

“Mr. Jason. The tall man with shiny shoes who loves you and loves me and takes us on fun dates. Are you happy with him?”

“Why are you asking me this, baby?”

“Because I need to know. And don’t lie to me. You already said lying is a sin. So you can’t lie.” His voice is firm. Determined. “Are you happy with Mr. Jason?”

I kneel down to his level, searching his face for some clue about where this is coming from. Did Dustin sa

sometienu?

Jake testing me?

But his expression is open. Earnest. He genuinely wants to know.

“Yes,” I say finally, because I can’t lie to him

“Yes, I am happy with Ethan.”

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