Love,Lies, And Legacy.

It's a Saturday morning....

Maddie moved with precision, her hands

shaking slightly as she cleaned her apartment. She mopped the kitchen floor, the smell of disinfectant filling the air, and then vacuumed the living room carpet, the hum of the machine a steady accompaniment to her racing thoughts. She checked the clock, her mind fixating on Brian's impending arrival to pick up Jake.

As she finished cleaning, she made her way to Jake's room, opening the door softly. Her son was fast asleep, his small body sprawled across the bed. Maddie's heart swelled with affection, but her nerves tightened. She gently shook Jake's shoulder. "Jake, wake up, sweetie. It's time to get ready."

As Jake stirred, Maddie helped him dress in shorts and a bright yellow shirt. Her hands trembled slightly as she buttoned his shirt, her eyes meeting his sleepy gaze. She forced a smile, trying to calm her racing heart. "Let's get some breakfast, okay?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Throughout breakfast, Maddie's mind fixated on Brian's arrival. She didn't know how to act around him anymore. The familiarity they once shared felt like a distant memory, and she struggled to reconcile her emotions. She focused on Jake, trying to push aside the anxiety swirling in her chest.

As they finished breakfast, Maddie helped Jake brush his teeth and gather his things. Then, she took a moment to get herself ready. She slipped into a casual yet elegant sundress, the soft cotton fabric skimming her curves. The dress was a pale blue color with tiny white flowers scattered across the hem, adding a touch of whimsy to its simple design. The sleeves were short and flowy, and the neckline was a gentle V-shape.

She packed up her shoulder-length hair into a loose, effortless bun, a few stray strands framing her face. With a light touch, she applied a hint of mascara to her lashes and a soft pink lip gloss to her lips. A subtle swipe of blush added a touch of warmth to her cheeks.

After getting ready, Maddie and Jake settled into the living room, sitting together on the couch. Maddie flipped through the TV channels, landing on a children's show that Jake enjoyed. As they watched, Maddie's mind began to wander, her thoughts drifting back to Brian's impending arrival.

She tried to focus on the TV, but her nerves were on edge. She glanced over at Jake, who was engrossed in the show, and felt a surge of love and protectiveness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Just as she was starting to relax, the doorbell rang. Maddie's heart skipped a beat. That would be Brian. She felt a flutter in her chest as she stood up, smoothing out her dress. "I'll get it, sweetie," she said to Jake, trying to sound calm.

She made her way to the door, her hand reaching out to open it,

With slightly trembling hands, her hand wrapped around the door handle, gripping it tightly, she closed her eyes and breathed out. She put on a determined look, steeling herself for the encounter. As she opened the door, her eyes met Brian's. He stood there in a blue professional T-shirt and black pants, his brown hair styled back, revealing his sharp features. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Maddie felt a surge of tension as she took in Brian's appearance. She was acutely aware of the differences in their current lives, the way he seemed to exude confidence and success. Her grip on the door handle tightened, her mind racing with thoughts of how to navigate this encounter.

"Hey," Brian said, breaking the silence, his voice deep and familiar.

Maddie's response was measured, her voice neutral. "Hey." She stepped aside, allowing him to enter, her body language guarded. Jake, sensing the moment, got up from the couch and ran to Brian, excitedly shouting "Daddy!"

As Brian bent down to hug Jake, the little boy's face lit up with excitement. "Hey buddy, you ready to go?" Brian asked, his voice warm and affectionate. Jake nodded enthusiastically, and Brian scooped him up, heading towards the door. Maddie followed behind, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her.

Outside the building, a sleek black BMW 7-series waited, its shiny surface gleaming in the sunlight. Maddie's eyes flickered to the car, a silent acknowledgment of Brian's success. She had known he was doing well, but seeing it firsthand was a different story.

As Brian put Jake in the backseat and secured his seatbelt, he turned to Maddie and opened the passenger door for her. But Maddie was quicker, reaching the handle before him and opening the door herself. She slid into the seat, her actions a clear indication that she didn't need or want his courtesy. Brian's expression remained neutral, but a hint of awareness flickered in his eyes as he closed the door behind her.

As they drove, Maddie gazed out the window, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. She didn't glance in Brian's direction, clearly avoiding eye contact. The silence between them was palpable, punctuated only by Jake's excited chatter in the backseat.

After a while, the car pulled into a parking lot, and Maddie saw the familiar surroundings of the park. She felt a mix of emotions as she gazed out at the swings and slides, memories of past outings with Jake flooding her mind. Brian pulled into a parking spot, and Maddie waited for him to open the door for Jake before getting out herself, still not looking directly at Brian.

Maddie held Jake's hand, walking with him into the park. She smiled down at him, her eyes shining with warmth. As they reached the playground area, she knelt down beside him. "Go have fun, sweetie, but stay within Mommy's sight," she instructed, her voice gentle. Jake's face lit up with a smile, and he nodded enthusiastically.

Instead of running off to play, Jake turned to Brian, taking his hand and leading him towards the swings. "Daddy, swing me!" he exclaimed, his excitement infectious. Brian smiled, and together they walked towards the swings, Jake chattering happily.

Maddie watched them leave, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She found a bench under a tree and sat down, her eyes fixed on Jake as he laughed and played with Brian. The sound of children's laughter and the creaking of the swings filled the air, and Maddie felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She settled in to watch Jake, her gaze never leaving his happy form.

As she sat on the bench, Maddie pulled out her book from her tote bag and began to read, losing herself in the words. The time passed quickly, and she was engrossed in her reading when she felt a shadow fall across her page. She knew without looking up that it was Brian. She didn't stir, her eyes remaining fixed on the book.

Brian sat down beside her, his presence noticeable, and the scent of his luxurious perfume wafted towards her. The fragrance was familiar, yet somehow different, reminding her of the past. Maddie's senses were heightened, but she didn't look up immediately.

Instead, she glanced towards the playground, her eyes scanning the area for Jake. She spotted him playing with other kids, laughing and shouting with glee. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, ensuring he was safe and happy, before her attention was drawn back to the man sitting beside her.

Brian's gaze lingered on Maddie's profile, but she didn't meet his eyes, her attention seemingly absorbed in her book. The silence between them grew, heavy with unspoken tension, until Brian finally broke it with a soft....

"So..."

Maddie's ears perked up at the sound of his voice.

"How's work?" Brian asked, his tone casual, but Maddie hesitated before responding, still focused on her book.

"Work's fine,"

she replied curtly, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

Brian's expression faltered slightly, a faint frown creasing his brow. "You don't have to avoid me, you know," he said, his voice low and measured. "We're here to make our son happy. You're making it gloomy."

Maddie's grip on the book tightened, her fingers squeezing the pages before she finally closed it and looked at Brian. Her eyes were expressionless, her voice devoid of emotion.

"I'm not avoiding you,"

She said flatly. "I'm just waiting for this to end so I can go back home with my son."

Brian's gaze drifted to Jake, and his voice softened. "He's my son too, you know. No matter what has happened, I just want to be there for him."

Maddie's reaction was immediate and intense. She scoffed, rolling her eyes, a harsh laugh escaping her lips. "You want to be there for him? After what you did? After what you did to me!"

Maddie's emotions were raw, her fists clenched as she struggled to hold back tears. The pain and betrayal she felt still lingered, and Brian's desire to be a part of Jake's life seemed like a cruel joke. She couldn't help but think that he wasn't a good father figure, given his past actions.

Brian's eyes dulled, filled with guilt and regret. He wanted to reach out to her, to apologize and make amends, but he knew it wouldn't be well-received. Maddie's words hung in the air, and she finally spoke again, her eyes still averted. "Does she know?"

Her question was pointed, and Brian knew exactly what she was referring to. "Does she know about us?"...

"About Jake?"

Maddie clarified, her eyes locking onto his. Brian shook his head, his expression somber. "No."

Maddie swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Good. Keep it that way."

With that, she stood up, her eyes fixed on Jake as she walked towards him. The tension between her and Brian was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions and unresolved conflicts.