A Quiet Promise, A Hidden Peril

ROMAN

The dim glow of Fabian's night light cast soft blue shadows across the room as I watched Vanessa tuck our son into bed. Her movements were gentle, practiced—a ritual performed countless times without me. The thought twisted in my chest like a knife.

"Mommy, can you and Daddy both stay? Just for a little while?" Fabian asked, his sleepy voice tugging at something deep inside me.

Vanessa's eyes flickered to mine over our son's head. I saw the hesitation there, the quiet struggle between what Fabian wanted and the boundaries she'd been maintaining between us.

"Just until you fall asleep, buddy," I said before she could respond. I settled onto the floor beside his bed, giving her space to decide.

She perched on the edge of the mattress, one hand smoothing back Fabian's dark hair—hair that mirrored mine perfectly. "Close your eyes now. It's been a long day."

"Was Uncle Leo's wedding fun?" he mumbled, fighting to keep his eyes open.