Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 12

Chapter 11 1

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Chapter 11-1

(Sabrina’s POV)

“Announcement? What kind of announcement?”

She shrugs. “Who knows? He wouldn’t tell me. You know how he is about his art stuff. He probably wants to show off a new painting.”

“Probably,” I echo, though I doubt it.

If Jake just wants to show off a new painting, why would he say he has a special announcement to make? It doesn’t make sense.

After Sophia leaves, I try to work on my portfolio. But I can’t focus, recalling how quiet Jake’s been these days, spending hours in the playroom with his tablet. I assumed he was drawing or watching videos, but what if something’s wrong?

The question haunts me all morning, through lunch, through the drive to pick him up from school. Jake bounces out to the car, his backpack bouncing with him, chattering about his day. Nothing seems amiss.

“Can we stop by the art store?” he asks as I pull out of the parking lot. “I need new markers for my livestream tonight.”

“About that,” I start carefully. “Sophia said you have a special announcement to make today?”

“Yep!” He’s practically vibrating with excitement. “But I can’t tell you what it is. It’s a surprise. You’re going to love it though. Aunt Sophia already said it was a great idea.”

“She did?”

“Well, she said ‘that’s certainly something’ which I think means great, right?”

That’s definitely not what that means.

But…since Sophia doesn’t have a problem with it, then it’s probably nothing to worry about… right?

Right.

We stop at the art store, where Jake picks out an elaborate set of metallic markers and a large poster board. He won’t tell me what it’s for, just keeps saying it’s for “the announcement.”

By the time we get back to Sophia’s, Jake is all excited and impatient to go inside. I trail after

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him as he runs into the house.

“Jake, sweetheart, I really think you should tell me what this announcement is about.”

“No, mom. It’ll ruin the surprise!” He right out refuses, already running to the playroom,

markers clutched in his small hands.

I find Sophia in the kitchen, pouring herself a very large glass of milk despite it being only

four in the afternoon.

“Should I be worried?” I ask.

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“Probably.” She takes a long drink. “But honestly? This might be the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen a five-year-old do, so there’s that.”

“That’s not reassuring!”

“Look, Jake made me promise not to tell you. And I keep my promises to children, they remember that stuff.” She pours me a glass too. “Just trust him. He’s trying to do what he thinks is best for his mom.”

“Okay…” I take the glass, not truly convinced.

Sophia just smiles mysteriously and walks away, leaving me alone with my milk and my spiraling thoughts.

At six o’clock, Jake emerges from the playroom, tablet in hand, wearing his favorite button-up shirt-the one I usually save for special occasions.

“I’m ready for my livestream!” He announces, marching to the living room, where he’s apparently already set up his “studio”-a blanket fort with string lights and his poster board propped on an easel.

I’m about to go and help when Sophia appears, phone in hand, grinning like a sleazy old woman, asking me if I can go get the groceries.

Okay. Now I’m starting to worry. It’s obvious she’s chasing me out of the house because they don’t want me to know what they’re up to.

I know there’s only so much trouble a five-year old can cause, which is hardly any. But when Sophia is added to the mix?

Now that’s a cause for concern.

Still, I grab my keys and leave the house to them, knowing whatever it is that they’re planning doesn’t require me.

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