Wram 371

Wram 371 Summary

 

In the chapter titled “Wram 371,” Madison returns home to her son Ethan, who is brimming with excitement about a game he’s playing with Aunt Hazel. The warmth of their interaction fills Madison with a sense of normalcy and comfort, contrasting sharply with the turmoil she feels inside. As Ethan enthusiastically engages in imaginative play, Madison reflects on her life choices and the emotional weight of her past relationship with Alexander Knight, a man who has re-entered her life unexpectedly.

 

The playful banter between Madison, Ethan, and Hazel showcases the love and support Madison has in her current life, a stark departure from the glamorous yet hollow existence she once led. However, when Hazel inquires about Madison’s day, the conversation takes a serious turn. Madison reveals that Alexander has sought her out after five years, stirring up feelings and fears she thought she had buried. Despite her insistence that she has moved on, the mention of his name brings a palpable tension to the surface.

 

As they prepare dinner, Hazel’s probing questions force Madison to confront her unresolved feelings about Alexander. Although she tries to maintain a facade of strength, it becomes clear that the emotional scars from their relationship still linger. Madison grapples with the reality of her situation, asserting her independence and commitment to her son, while simultaneously wrestling with the truth of her lingering affection for Alexander.

 

The chapter culminates in a chaotic yet heartwarming dinner scene, where Ethan’s innocent chatter and Hazel’s supportive presence remind Madison of the family she has built. This moment reinforces her resolve to protect her son and maintain the life she has created, separate from Alexander. Despite the shadow of her past looming over her, Madison finds solace in the love surrounding her, emphasizing the importance of her new life and the unconditional support from those who truly care for her.

 

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**Wram 371**

Madison

As I stepped through the door, I clutched my purse tightly, mentally preparing myself for the delightful onslaught that was about to ensue.

“Mommy!” Ethan’s exuberant voice rang out the moment I crossed the threshold, and before I could even take a breath, he flung himself off the couch, crashing into my legs with all the force his tiny frame could muster. “Aunt Hazel’s here! We’re playing crash derby!”

A smile crept across my face as I ruffled his tousled hair, casting a playful glare at Hazel over Ethan’s head. “And I distinctly remember someone promising not to get him all riled up before I got home.”

Hazel, standing nearby and brushing off her jeans, raised an eyebrow in mock innocence. “In my defense, it was Ethan who proposed the idea of a crash derby. I was perfectly happy with a nice, quiet session of coloring.”

“Liar,” I shot back, unable to suppress a grin.

“Okay, fine,” she conceded, her smile widening. “But look at how thrilled he is!”

And she was right. Ethan was practically buzzing with excitement, his little hands tugging at mine, eager to show me the intricate setup of trucks he had created.

“Mommy, you have to be the police! Aunt Hazel was the police, but she keeps letting the bad guys escape!” His eyes sparkled with mischief and determination.

“That’s because the bad guys deserve their freedom,” Hazel declared with an exaggerated flair, hands on her hips.

“No, they don’t! Bad guys go to jail!” Ethan protested vehemently, his small voice filled with righteous indignation.

I set my purse down, letting their playful banter wash over me like a comforting wave. This was good. This was normal. This was the life I had built for myself now.

Not the glitzy penthouse apartments, the designer dresses, or the man whose mere gaze could unravel my carefully constructed facade.

“Madison?” Hazel’s voice broke through my reverie as she waved a hand in front of my face. “You okay? You seem a bit lost in thought.”

“Just a bit tired. Long day at work,” I replied, forcing a smile as I brushed off her concern.

“Uh huh.” She scrutinized me with those keen eyes of hers, the ones that had always seen straight through my bravado. “Want to spill your guts after bedtime?”

“There’s really nothing to spill,” I insisted, though I could feel the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing on my chest.

“Ah, so that’s a yes,” she teased, turning to Ethan. “Hey buddy, why don’t you show me your new Lego set while your mom changes out of her work clothes?”

“Okay!” Ethan exclaimed, racing off toward his room, chattering excitedly about the latest creation he had brought to life with colorful bricks.

I made my way to my bedroom, grateful for the brief moment of solitude. My reflection in the mirror was a stark reminder of my inner turmoil: exhausted, bewildered, and still inexplicably affected by a man who had made it abundantly clear he didn’t care.

I changed into a pair of comfortable leggings and an oversized sweater, splashed some cool water on my face, and hastily pulled my hair into a messy bun. There, that felt better—more like the real me.

When I stepped back into the living room, I found Hazel crouched beside Ethan, her expression one of genuine awe as he animatedly described his Lego spaceship, detailing its intricate features with breathless excitement.

“And this part shoots lasers! Pew pew!” he exclaimed, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

“Very impressive,” Hazel replied, nodding seriously. “I particularly like the escape pod.”

“That’s for emergencies! Captain Alex always has an escape plan!” Ethan declared proudly, his imagination in full bloom.

I froze in the doorway, my heart skipping a beat. “Captain Alex?”

“Yeah! He’s the captain of my spaceship!” Ethan zoomed the Lego creation through the air, his little hands mimicking the flight of an imaginary craft. “He’s super brave and smart and saves people!”

Hazel’s gaze met mine, and I could see the question clear in her eyes. I shook my head slightly, a silent plea for her to drop it—for now.

“Sounds like an excellent captain,” I said, keeping my tone light, though my mind was racing. “How about we have dinner? I bet Aunt Hazel is starving.”

“I could eat,” Hazel replied, rising to her feet. “What’s on the menu?”

“Whatever I can throw together quickly.” I headed toward the kitchen, the sound of Ethan’s animated storytelling trailing behind me as he continued to elaborate on Captain Alex’s various adventures.

Captain Alex. Of all the names in the universe, my four-year-old had chosen that one for his imaginary hero.

The universe truly had a wicked sense of humor.

Hazel followed me into the kitchen while Ethan remained engrossed in his play. “Captain Alex?” she asked quietly, her voice laced with curiosity. “That’s new.”

“He came up with it last week. Apparently, some kid at preschool has a dad named Alex, and Ethan decided it was the coolest name ever,” I explained, reaching for the ingredients for pasta.

“Does he ever ask about his dad?”

“Sometimes.” I filled a pot with water, my heart aching slightly. “I tell him his daddy lives far away and can’t visit.”

“Which is true.”

“Which is true,” I echoed, the weight of the truth settling heavily in the air. “And that’s all he needs to know for now.”

Hazel leaned against the counter, her arms crossed, studying me intently. “So, are you going to tell me why you look like you’ve seen a ghost, or do I need to guess?”

I kept my focus on the stove, the bubbling water reflecting my inner turmoil. “Alexander showed up at the café today.”

The silence stretched between us, thick and palpable, until I finally dared to meet her gaze. Hazel’s mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Alexander Knight? Your Alexander?”

“He’s not my Alexander,” I corrected, though the words felt heavy on my tongue.

“What the hell did he want?”

“To know why I left Knight Industries.”

Hazel let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “Are you kidding me? Five years later, and that’s what he wants to know?”

“Apparently.” I tossed the pasta into the boiling water, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “He claimed he was ‘in the area.’”

“In Connecticut. On a random Wednesday,” she added, her voice dripping with skepticism.

“Exactly what I said.”

“What did you tell him?”

“To leave.”

“And did he?”

I stirred the pasta with more force than necessary, the wooden spoon clattering against the pot. “Eventually. After informing me he’d be back tomorrow.”

“Like hell he will.” Hazel’s voice took on that protective edge I had come to know all too well. “You want me to stay? I can tell him off. I’ve been practicing my ‘threatening best friend’ speech for five years.”

Despite the tension coiling in my chest, I found myself smiling. “Thanks, but I can handle Alexander Knight.”

“Can you?”

The question hung between us, heavy with unspoken doubts. Could I really? The man had walked back into my life after five long years, and within mere moments, he had me questioning everything I had painstakingly built.

“I have to,” I replied finally, my voice steadying. “I have a son to protect, a business to run, and a life that doesn’t include him.”

“But you still love him.”

I turned off the burner with more force than necessary, the sharp click of the knob echoing in the quiet kitchen. “I don’t.”

“Madison.”

“I don’t,” I repeated firmly, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue. “I loved who I thought he was. But that person never existed. The real Alexander Knight is a selfish jerk who only cares about himself.”

“Mommy said a bad word!” Ethan’s voice rang out from the living room, innocent and oblivious to the weight of our conversation.

Hazel snorted, unable to contain her laughter. “Busted.”

I groaned, dropping my head onto the cool countertop. “This day just keeps getting better.”

“Come on,” Hazel said, grabbing plates from the cupboard with a determined air. “Let’s feed your son and get some wine into you. Well, for me. You can have herbal tea and complain while I indulge.”

Dinner unfolded in a delightful chaos, with Ethan chattering nonstop about his day at preschool and his grand plans for his upcoming birthday party. Hazel matched his enthusiasm perfectly, her exaggerated expressions and silly questions sending him into fits of giggles that filled the room with warmth.

This was my family now—my mother, Hazel, and Ethan. People who loved me unconditionally, who had stood by me through pregnancy, sleepless nights, teething troubles, and tantrums.

Not some Manhattan CEO who had made it abundantly clear just where I ranked in his long list of priorities.

Conclusion

 

As the evening wore on, I found solace in the laughter that echoed through the kitchen, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had threatened to consume me earlier. Surrounded by the vibrant energy of Ethan’s stories and Hazel’s playful banter, I felt the weight of my decisions settle into a familiar rhythm. This was the life I had chosen, one filled with love and laughter, far removed from the chaos of my past. With every giggle and every shared glance, I was reminded that my heart belonged here, in this cozy space where my son’s innocence shielded me from the shadows of regret and longing.

 

Yet, the specter of Alexander loomed just beyond the edges of my newfound peace, a reminder of the unresolved feelings that still lingered beneath the surface. I had convinced myself that I could sever those ties, that I could move forward without looking back. But as I watched Ethan play, embodying the hero he needed in Captain Alex, I realized that the past was not so easily forgotten. It was a delicate balance, one that I would have to navigate with care, for my son’s happiness depended on my ability to confront my own heart. And so, as the night drew to a close, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, determined to protect the life I had built while grappling with the ghosts of what once was.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

In the next chapter, expect the tension to rise as Madison grapples with the unexpected return of Alexander Knight. With his arrival looming, the stability of her carefully curated life begins to crack, revealing the underlying emotions she has buried deep. Will Madison be able to maintain her resolve and protect her son from the man who once shattered her heart? As she prepares for Alexander’s imminent visit, the stakes heighten, and her internal struggle intensifies. The question of whether she can truly keep him at bay, or if the remnants of their past will intrude upon her present, looms large.

 

Moreover, the dynamics between Madison, Hazel, and Ethan will evolve as they navigate the impending confrontation. Hazel’s fierce loyalty will be tested as she stands by her friend, but will her protective instincts lead to unexpected complications? Meanwhile, Ethan’s innocent observations will serve as a poignant reminder of the love and family that Madison cherishes, contrasting sharply with the chaos Alexander brings. The chapter promises to delve deeper into Madison’s psyche, revealing her vulnerabilities and the fierce love she holds for her son. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as secrets unravel and the past collides with the present, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what happens next.