Chapter 3

Carter denied it without missing a beat.

"No idea. That woman and I were only friendly when we were kids. After she went abroad, we cut all contact."

"Why are you bringing her up out of nowhere?"

I gently stroked Leo’s hair and replied offhandedly, "No reason. My aunt just mentioned you two used to be close, so I wondered if you'd heard from her."

"Anyway, go get washed up. I'm taking Leo to bed."

Only then did Carter relax his shoulders and head into the bathroom.

Before closing the door, he studied my face for several long seconds, making sure I had really just brought it up in passing.

The guest room was cozy.

I had originally decorated it as a nursery for our future child; I just hadn't expected Leo to arrive under these circumstances.

Leo loved the room, happily touching the soft pillows and plush rugs.

"I'm having another bedroom decorated at my new place, Leo. Whatever theme you want, just tell Mommy. Once I take care of bad Daddy, we'll move there together."

"Just the two of us!"

Leo blinked up at me, hesitating before whispering, "Mommy, can we go to an amusement park together?"

My heart melted into a puddle.

"Of course! Mommy will take you tomorrow morning!"

Leo nodded, but instead of cheering, he bit his lower lip, looking conflicted.

I waited patiently.

After a long silence, his voice came out barely louder than a breath.

"Can... can Daddy come too?"

I froze.

Leo looked up, his eyes rimmed in red.

"Ever since I was born, you guys were always screaming at each other. Later, when Aunt Chloe had a baby boy, Daddy hated me even more. Leo just wants... just wants to have Mommy and Daddy together at the park, like the other kids at school."

A sharp pang stabbed through my chest. I pulled Leo into my arms, hugging him with everything I had.

"Okay."

"Mommy will make sure Daddy comes with us."

Back in the master bedroom, Carter was lying on the bed with his eyes shut.

I walked over and sat on the edge. "Carter, are you free tomorrow? Come to the amusement park with me and Leo."

Carter shot it down instantly.

"Valerie, the wedding is literally the day after tomorrow, and the company has a million things going on."

"I don't have time to baby-sit some distant cousin's kid. I can have my assistant take you guys—"

I let out a heavy sigh, cutting him off with a trace of irritation.

"I was planning to take him for the day and send him right back to my aunt."

"Otherwise, she's going to keep obsessing over Chloe Bennett and hiring private investigators. I don't see the point—Chloe was sent overseas with nothing. What could she possibly do to hurt me?"

Carter’s posture stiffened immediately.

After a few tense seconds of inner turmoil, he reached out, taking my hand.

"Fine. For your sake, I'll clear my morning and go to the park with you."

"The last thing we need is you stressing over Chloe and being in a terrible mood on our wedding day."

I smiled sweetly and smoothly pulled my hand away.

"Thank you, babe. You're the best."

"Love you too."

The next morning, Leo woke up incredibly early. He sat on the living room sofa, swinging his little legs, his eyes sparkling as he waited for us.

Carter started the trip looking impatient, but looking at Leo's face, he somehow couldn't stay angry.

Gradually, the tension melted away.

Roller coasters, log flumes, the dinosaur exhibits—Carter went on all of them with Leo.

Before leaving, we took several photos at the front gates. Leo held my hand in one of his and Carter's in the other, his cheeks flushed with joy, the afternoon sun bathing us in golden light.

We looked just like a picture-perfect, happy family.

As twilight settled, Leo walked out of the gates, looking back over his shoulder reluctantly.

While Carter stepped away to buy him cotton candy, Leo wrapped his arms around my neck and planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

He held me tight.

"Mommy, Leo has no regrets now."

"Tomorrow is the wedding. Please don't be soft-hearted!"