Chapter 16: Shards of the past
Leonard stood across the street from Hearts & Threads, the sky dimming behind him. His pulse thundered louder than the passing cars.
In his hand, Carter's message burned through the screen:
DNA confirmed. Liam is your biological son.
The words were both a blow and a lifeline. He'd suspected it—the moment he saw those gray eyes. But now, there was no room for doubt. No space for denial.
He crossed the street.
Arielle stepped out of the shop, carrying a basket of folded linens. Her steps faltered when she saw him, her grip tightening.
"It's you," she said quietly.
He nodded.
"I know."
Her brows drew together.
"Know what?"
"Liam," he said, voice thick. "He's mine."
She didn't flinch, but something in her shoulders hardened.
"You think so."
"I don't think. I know. I had him tested."
The basket slipped from her hands, thudding against the ground.
"You did what?" she whispered.
"I needed to know. And now I do."
Arielle turned away.
"Then you wasted your time."
"What?"
"He's not yours," she said coldly. "You told me to get rid of him. So I did."
His blood turned cold.
"You're lying."
"You said it yourself—no feelings, no child. You made your choice, remember?"
"I didn't know," Leonard rasped. "I didn't know what it would feel like. I didn't even know he existed."
Her jaw clenched.
"It's too late now."
He stepped closer.
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to."
Her voice was steady—but her hands trembled.
"Tell me the truth."
Her eyes flared.
"You want the truth now?"
"Yes."
She stepped forward, tears brightening her eyes.
"Fine. You want it? He's yours."
The words hung in the air like thunder.
"He's yours," she repeated, softer this time. "And I hate you for it."
She turned away, arms wrapped around herself.
"I hate that he has your eyes. I hate that every time he laughs, I see the man who told me to get rid of him."
"Arielle—"
"I begged you," she cried. "I was scared but ready. I would've given up everything. And you… you looked me in the eye and said, abort it."
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I left that night. Alone. I gave birth alone. I watched him crawl, walk, talk—alone. I worked two jobs. I cried into my pillow so he wouldn't see."
Leonard's voice barely rose above a whisper.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you already told me who you were."
She met his eyes, voice shaking.
"I never wanted him to feel unwanted. Never wanted him to know his father didn't want him. So I told him you were gone. That's all. And when he asked about his daddy, I smiled and said—You have me."
She turned away, covering her mouth to muffle her sobs.
Leonard couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
All he could do was feel the weight of everything she'd carried—alone.
Finally, she straightened, eyes fierce and wet.
"You don't get to show up and fix this. You don't get to be the hero."
He nodded slowly.
"I'm not trying to be the hero."
"Then what are you trying to be?" she whispered.
"A father."
Her expression faltered.
"I can't change the past," he said. "But I can choose what I do now. And I choose him. I choose you."
She stared at him—for a long time. The pain. The rage. The sadness. All of it swirled behind her gaze.
But she didn't turn away.
She didn't forgive him.
Not yet.
But she didn't send him away either.
And for now…
That was enough.
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End of chapter 16