Chapter 5: Breaking Barriers

The crisp morning air carried a faint scent of freshly cut grass as Rose stepped into the Anderson mansion's sprawling garden. Jasper's laughter rang out, pure and infectious, as he darted after soap bubbles. His boundless energy turned the space into a playground, his joy as vibrant as the sunlight that kissed the lawn. Rose smiled at the scene, finding comfort in the simplicity of his happiness.

She glanced back toward the patio where Zeke stood, an unintentional observer. Dressed down in a casual sweater and jeans, he looked out of place yet striking against the backdrop of their serene morning. His eyes followed Jasper's every move, a mix of longing and hesitation clouding his otherwise impassive features.

"You should join us," Rose called out, daring to break his reverie.

Zeke's gaze flickered to her, his brows knitting into a faint frown. "He doesn't need me. He has you."

The words stung more than Rose expected. "You're his father, Zeke. He needs you more than anyone else."

Before Zeke could reply, Jasper interrupted their exchange, running up with his tiny hands gripping a bubble wand. His dark eyes sparkled as he thrust it toward his father. "Dad, look! Can you blow the biggest bubble ever?"

Zeke froze, caught off guard by the request. He crouched down to Jasper's level, taking the wand with measured hesitation. "I can try," he said.

His first attempt sent a soap-slicked sputter into the air, earning giggles from Jasper. By the second attempt, the bubble barely lasted a second before bursting. Rose couldn't help but laugh, her amusement breaking through Zeke's stoic demeanor.

"You're terrible at this," she teased, crossing her arms playfully.

"I wasn't aware bubble-blowing was a professional skill," Zeke quipped, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

The impromptu bubble competition continued, each round loosening the invisible chains that seemed to hold Zeke back. Jasper's delight was contagious, and soon even Zeke was laughing freely. It was a side of him Rose had never seen before—unguarded and genuinely happy.

---

Afternoon Interlude

By the time they returned inside for lunch, the trio was flushed and content. Jasper devoured his meal with the appetite of a growing child, leaving Zeke and Rose alone at the dining table while he dashed upstairs for his midday nap.

"You're good with him," Zeke said, breaking the silence. He toyed with the edge of his glass, his tone thoughtful. "Jasper... He's different around you. Happier."

Rose shook her head modestly. "It's not just me. He lights up when you're around too. He just doesn't get to see that side of you often."

Zeke's expression darkened, guilt flashing briefly across his face. "It's not that simple."

"Maybe it is," Rose countered softly. "You don't have to be perfect, Zeke. You just have to be present."

Her words seemed to hit their mark, but Zeke didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood and excused himself, his posture rigid as he left the room.

---

An Unwelcome Visitor

Later that evening, Rose was cleaning up in the kitchen when the slam of the front door startled her. The sound of raised voices soon followed, pulling her attention to the foyer.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she peered cautiously around the corner. There, she saw a woman with sharp features and an air of authority. Her designer outfit and perfectly coiffed hair screamed wealth, but the venom in her tone was unmistakable.

"Elena," Zeke said coldly, standing between her and the rest of the house.

Rose's heart sank. Elena, Zeke's ex-wife and Jasper's estranged mother.

"Don't act so high and mighty," Elena sneered. "I have every right to see my son."

"Not at this hour," Zeke replied firmly. "Jasper's asleep."

"That's convenient," Elena snapped, her gaze darting past him. "Who's the new nanny? Another charity case?"

Rose's cheeks burned, but she held her ground, refusing to let the insult rattle her.

"Elena, leave," Zeke said, his tone darkening. "You're not welcome here."

"And when has my welcome ever mattered to you?" Elena spat. "You act like you're the perfect parent, but we both know you're just playing house."

Zeke's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "Enough."

For a tense moment, it seemed as though Elena might press further, but she eventually turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. The house fell into an uneasy silence.

---

Opening Old Wounds

Rose found Zeke in his study later, sitting in the dark with a tumbler of whiskey in hand. The tension from earlier still clung to him like a shadow.

"She has a way of making everything worse, doesn't she?" Rose said gently, stepping into the room.

Zeke looked up, startled by her presence. "You shouldn't have had to see that."

"It's fine," Rose assured him. "But I can see how much it bothers you."

Zeke let out a bitter laugh, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Elena only cares about appearances. She's never wanted to be a mother, not really. She just hates losing."

"And you?" Rose asked carefully. "What do you want?"

The question seemed to catch him off guard. He set the glass down and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "I want Jasper to have a better life than I did. I want him to feel loved, safe... whole. But I'm not sure I know how to give him that."

"You're already giving him more than you realize," Rose said earnestly. "He looks up to you, Zeke. Even if you don't see it."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. For the first time, Zeke allowed himself to meet her gaze without the usual barriers. In that moment, something shifted between them—an unspoken connection born of shared vulnerability.

---

Rose left the study that night with a renewed determination. Zeke was a man trapped by his past mistakes, but she believed he could overcome them. What she hadn't anticipated was how deeply she was beginning to care—not just for Jasper, but for Zeke as well. And that realization both thrilled and terrified her.