Episode 34

We stood at the door of his condo, the same building we used to share once upon a time, the same hallways that remembered us.

Raphael was already waiting at the door. He wore a navy polo and jeans, looking clean, professional, and infuriatingly calm.

When he saw us, he smiled and crouched to Sebi's height. "Hey there, buddy!"

Sebi's face lit up. "Daddy!" He ran into Raphael's arms.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Raphael stood, Sebi on his hip for just a second before setting him down. "Did you bring your coloring books?"

"Yup!" Sebi beamed, rummaging through his backpack.

My heart squeezed.

Raphael's eyes flicked to mine. "Claudia."

I tried to nod like this was normal. "Take care of him."

He arched a brow. "Of course. You know i will."

I bent to Sebi one last time. "Listen to Daddy. Be polite, No fighting."

Sebi hugged me hard.

I almost burst into tears.

"Promise you'll call me," I whispered.

He nodded solemnly.

But when Raphael gently pulled him inside and shut the door, I stood there for a second, frozen.

I was the one who wanted this co-parenting schedule.

I thought i could do it.

So why did it feel like i was leaving a piece of my heart behind?

I let out a shaky sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face.

I turned on the lamp in the living room, the warm light spilling over the quiet condo.

Everything felt too big, too empty.

I paced the length of the couch, arms wrapped tight around myself.

Then i turned on my heel, headed for the kitchen.

I yanked open the cupboard without thinking, grabbed a bag of chips and tore it open.

I wasn't even hungry.

I just needed something to do with my hands.

I popped one in my mouth and barely tasted it.

My mind wouldn't stop spinning.

I knew Raphael would take care of him.

He wasn't irresponsible.

But that didn't help.

It wasn't worry about Sebi being safe that had me pacing in circles like a caged animal.

It was this… sick, hollow feeling in my chest.

I chewed another chip and wiped my fingers on a napkin i didn't remember grabbing.

What if he liked it better there?

The question landed heavy in my gut.

What if Sebi loved sleeping in his dad's big bed, or exploring the hospital hallways with him?

What if he realized how fun Raphael was, how safe?

What if he didn't want to come home?

I swallowed hard, my throat clicking painfully.

Of course he would come home.

Of course.

I should have been happy he had his father.

Instead i felt like someone had reached into my chest and yanked something out by the roots.

I turned away from the chips, hugging myself again.

My eyes burned.

I squeezed them shut and let a single tear slip free.

It was so quiet i could hear the hum of the refrigerator, the tick of the clock on the wall.

My whole life had revolved around Sebi for five years.

Every single day.

This was what we agreed on.

This was what was best for him.

So why did it feel like the walls were closing in on me?

I pressed a shaking hand to my chest.

-

The office felt cold.

Clinical.

Vanessa, my assistant, met me with a stack of folders. "Welcome back, Ma'am."

"Thank you."

She handed me a coffee. "You look… tense."

"I'm fine," I lied.

But i kept glancing at my phone, tapping it awake over and over.

No new messages.

No pictures.

I tried to focus.

Product meeting, Check.

Inventory planning, Check.

New packaging for Dubai line, Check.

None of it felt real.

By 10:30 i caved and texted Raphael.

How's Sebi?

No response.

I waited five minutes, then called.

Straight to voicemail.

I called again and again.

At 11:00 he finally replied.

Stop calling, Claudia. He's fine. Enjoy your work.

I sat there staring at the screen.

I wanted to scream.

-

The silence pressed in around me like a weight.

My phone screen lit up with the time.

9:27 PM.

Usually by now i'd be arguing with Sebi to get in his pajamas, reading him the same story for the hundredth time, pretending i didn't know he was trying to stall bedtime.

Now? Nothing.

Just me and this echoing condo.

I drummed my fingers against my knee, then pushed myself up off the couch and started pacing again.

Back and forth.

I checked my phone. Again.

Nothing.

I let out a breath that sounded more like a whimper.

Good.

He should.

That's what i wanted for him.

So why did u feel like i was the one abandoned?

I dropped onto the couch, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.

This was stupid.

I was being stupid.

I closed my eyes and breathed slowly.

He was okay.

He was happy.

That's what mattered.

But the tightness in my chest refused to loosen.

I sat there in the dim light, fingers digging into my scalp, trying to will myself to stop overthinking.

I didn't even notice i'd started crying until i felt the wetness on my palms.

Damn it.

I wiped at my face angrily.

It was better this way.

He deserved both of us.

Even if it hurt.

Even if it felt like i'd carved out half my soul and handed it to Raphael for safekeeping.

My phone buzzed suddenly.

I jumped.

Heart pounding, I snatched it up.

Raphael.

My breath caught.

I almost dropped it trying to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey." His voice was low, careful. "Sorry. Did i wake you?"

I swallowed hard.

My voice cracked when i tried to sound normal.

"No. I'm awake."

There was a pause.

Then a rustle.

Then a smaller, breathy voice.

"Mommy?"

My heart imploded.

I pressed my fingers to my mouth, trying not to sob right there.

"Hi, baby," I managed. My voice shook. "Hi, Sebi."

"Mommy, i wanna say good night."

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears spilling down.

"Good night, love. Sweet dreams. Be a good boy, okay?"

"I'm being good!" he declared proudly. I could hear the grin in his voice. "Daddy said i was good all day."

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping my cheek.

"That's wonderful. I'm so proud of you."

"Daddy and I went to the park and we played cars and trucks and watched a movie."

He was babbling. Breathless. Excited.

My chest ached in the best, worst way.

"That sounds so fun," I whispered.

He giggled. "Mommy, I want you to come here."

My throat tightened.

"I will, baby. Tomorrow, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

I heard Raphael's voice, low and warm. "Say good night now."

"Good night, mommy. I love you."

My voice cracked again.

"I love you more. So, so much."

He made a little kiss sound through the phone.

I pressed my hand to my mouth so he wouldn't hear me fall apart.

There was a muffled shuffle.

Then Raphael's voice came back on the line.

"He wouldn't sleep until he talked to you," he said quietly.

I laughed, watery and broken.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Raphael didn't say anything for a moment.

Neither did I.

I ended the call and let the phone fall from my fingers.

He was happy.

He was loved.

That should have been enough.

-

I told myself he was safe.

He was with his father.

But it didn't help.

I was at my desk when Raphael texted:

Bringing Sebi to the hospital today. He wants to see where i work.

A picture followed: Sebi in a too-big scrub top, beaming, a stethoscope around his neck.

My heart lurched.

My baby.

-

I arrived just before lunch, coat clutched tight around me.

The receptionist recognized me. "Doctor Gutierrez is in the pediatrics wing."

I thanked her, rushing down the corridor.

I peeked into every room until i saw him.

Raphael sat with Sebi perched on the edge of a desk.

They were in someone's office too many family photos and pastel walls.

Aleine's office.

My stomach dropped.

Sebi was coloring.

Raphael was talking softly.

Aleine sat on the other side of the desk, chin propped on her hand, watching them with a smile that made my blood boil.

She leaned forward, brushing Sebi's curls back. "You're such a handsome boy. Tell me, would you like me to be your stepmother one day?"

My vision went red.

Sebi blinked, confused. "What's a stepmother?"

Aleine giggled. "Someone who loves your daddy and wants to be part of your family."

I slammed the door open.

"Sebi!"

Everyone jumped.

My son scrambled off the desk. "Mommy!"

I pulled him behind me.

Raphael stood. "Claudia—"

But Aleine wasn't done.

She smiled at Sebi, ignoring me. "Look how much you look like your daddy. So alike, aren't they, Raph?"

"Because he is his son," I hissed.

Aleine raised a brow. "Just pointing it out. He's lucky to look like such a good man."

I was shaking.

"Sebi doesn't need a stepmother," I snapped.

Aleine's lips curved. "Well, you're not exactly reliable, are you? I mean you left before."

My heart pounded so loud i thought i might faint.

"What's so funny?" I demanded.

Aleine just gave me that infuriating smile. "At least i never left your father."

I lunged, but Raphael grabbed my arm.

"Claudia. Enough."

My breath hitched.

He turned to Aleine. "I'm sorry about this. She's… emotional."

I ripped my arm away like his touch burned.

"You don't need to apologize for me!"

His brows furrowed. "Claudia—"

"I didn't do anything wrong!"

Sebi was crying now, hiding behind my legs.

Raphael reached for him. "Buddy—"

I blocked him.

"No. We're leaving."

He let his hand fall.

My voice cracked. "You really want to say sorry to her? For me? Go ahead. I'm taking my son."

"Claudia, let's talk about this—"

"No." I was already backing out the door.

Sebi's sobs muffled against my stomach.

I didn't even look at Raphael again.

-

Sebi fell asleep in the backseat, clutching his stuffed rabbit.

I drove in silence, knuckles white on the steering wheel.

When i parked at the condo, I turned and watched him sleep.

Tears finally spilled.

What was i doing to him?

Why did co-parenting have to be so damn hard?

He deserved better than this war.

But i wasn't going to let anyone replace me.

Not now. Not ever.

I wiped my eyes and got out to open his door.

I smoothed his hair, kissed his forehead.

"Let's go"