Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 73

Chapter 54

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Chapter 54

(Sabrina’s POV)

It’s almost midnight when we finally pull up to Sophia’s building.

Jake is half-asleep in the backseat, clutching his stuffed dinosaur. Ethan carries him inside, and I

follow with my roses, my mind spinning.

Sophia opens the door in her pajamas, looking much better than she did earlier. “How was dinner?”

“Good,” I say shortly.

Her eyes flick between me, Ethan carrying my sleeping son, and the roses in my arms. A knowing smile spreads across her face. “Just good?”

“We’ll talk later.”

I direct Ethan to the guest room, and he lays Jake down gently, even taking off his shoes and pulling the blanket over him. Then he kisses my son’s forehead like it’s the most natural thing in the

world.

And that’s when I know I need to have this conversation. Before things go any further. Before Jake gets any more attached.

We walk to the door in silence. Sophia has conveniently disappeared into her room, probably to

give us privacy.

“Thank you for tonight,” I say when we reach the entrance. “Jake had a wonderful time.”

“So did I.” Ethan’s hand comes up to brush a strand of hair behind my ear, and the gentleness of it makes my breath catch. “When can I see you again?”

“Ethan-”

“I almost forgot. You start at the company on Monday, right?” I nod and his lips stretch into a smile. “I’ll see you on Monday, then.”

“You should go,” I say quietly. “This was a mistake. All of it.”

“Don’t do this. Don’t push me away because you’re scared-”

“I’m not scared. I’m being realistic. Jake is getting too attached. And when you inevitably realize this is too much, when you walk away, he’s going to be destroyed.”

“I’m not going to walk away.”

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Chapter 54

“You don’t know that. Nobody knows that.” My voice cracks. “Dustin promised forever too. And

look how that turned out.”

Ethan’s jaw clenches. “I’m not Dustin.”

“I know. But you’re also not an ordinary man. And I can’t-I won’t let Jake get hurt again.”

“What about you?” Ethan steps closer. “What about what you want?”

“What I want doesn’t matter. Jake comes first. He always comes first.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

We stare at each other, the tension thick enough to cut.

“Goodnight, Ethan,” I finally say, opening the door. “Thank you again for dinner.”

He looks like he wants to argue. But after a long moment, he just nods.

“Goodnight, Sabrina.”

Char

The door closes behind him, and I lean against it, listening to his footsteps fade down the hallway.

Then I go to Jake’s room.

He’s face-down on the bed, crying into his pillow. My heart shatters completely.

He must’ve heard what I said to Ethan.

I sigh and walk over to his bed. Sitting on the edge, I brush a few strands from his face.

“Jake, Ethan isn’t your dad. He can’t be your dad.”

“But why? He’s a nice guy!”

“Jake-”

“Why can’t he be my dad?” he sits up, his face smeared with tears. “He likes you! You like him! And he likes me and I like him! He’s nice and he has shiny shoes and he plays with me and-”

“Because it doesn’t work like that, baby. You can’t just decide someone is your dad-”

“But why not? You made bad dad my dad and he was terrible! Mr. Jason is way better than him!”

“Jake, we’ll talk in the morning when you’re calmer.”

“No!” He scrambles out of bed, more tears streaming down his face. “Bad dad isn’t here anymore! We don’t need him! I promised Mr. Jason you would give him a chance! I promised you’d give him a

chance! No take-backs!”

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Chapter 54

He runs into Sophia’s room and slams the door shut.

I stand there, frozen, my heart breaking.

Sophia is in the hallway, having obviously heard everything.

“Sabrina-” she starts.

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

I go to my room and close the door.

The roses are still on the dresser, mocking me with their beauty.

The next two days are torture.

Clay

Jake won’t talk to me beyond one-word answers. He eats his meals in silence. Refuses to show

me his drawings. He won’t even let me help with his homework.

Every attempt at conversation ends the same way-him walking away, closing himself off, making

it clear I’m not forgiven.

By Monday morning, when I have to report to my new job at Hale Global, we still haven’t

reconciled.

“Have a good day at work,” Sophia says as I grab my bag.

“Thanks.” I glance at Jake, who’s eating cereal and pointedly not looking at me. “Jake, I love you, baby. Even if you’re mad at me.”

He doesn’t respond.

My heart aches as I leave.

The first day at Hale Global is overwhelming in the best way possible.

The offices are stunning-all glass and modern design and cutting-edge technology. My team is

talented and welcoming. And the projects they hand me are exactly the kind of creative challenges

I’ve been craving.

I throw myself into work with an intensity that borders on obsession.

Partly because I love what I’m doing. But mostly because it’s easier than thinking about the mess

I’ve made at home.

I don’t see Ethan that first day. Or the second. His office is on the top floor, and I’m on fifteen. Our paths don’t cross.

Which is good. Necessary, even, under the current circumstances.

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Chapter 54

By the end of the first week, I’ve already completed two major campaign proposals. My supervisor,

Sarah, is impressed.

“You work fast,” she comments during our Friday check-in.

“I like to stay busy.”

“Well, it shows. Both campaigns are strong. We’ll be presenting them to the board next week.”

Pride swells in my chest. This is what I needed. Proof that I’m good at what I do. That I don’t need

anyone’s help or charity or pity to secure a job.

I can succeed on my own merit.

The second week is even more intense. I arrive early, stay late, take work home. Create campaign

after campaign, each one better than the last.

I barely see Jake. He’s still not talking to me, spending most of his time with Sophia or locked in his

room drawing.

I tell myself this is temporary. That eventually he’ll forgive me. That I’m doing the right thing by

protecting him.

But late at night, alone in the guest room with the roses now wilted on the dresser, I wonder if I’m

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