Chapter 414
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Chapter 414
Madison
We stepped inside. The apartment was beautiful, all exposed brick and high ceilings, the kind of space that screamed Manhattan money but felt surprisingly warm.
“Shoes off, baby,” I reminded Ethan.
He kicked off his sneakers, leaving them in a pile by the door before racing toward the living room. “Can I play with your books?
“They’re on the shelf by the window,” Hazel called after him.
I followed Hazel into the kitchen, where Oliver stood at the stove, spatula in hand, looking entirely too serious about whatever he was making.
“Madison.” He turned, his smile genuine. “Good to see you. Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?”
“Coffee would be great.”
“Coming right up.” He gestured at the espresso machine. “Hazel insisted we get the fancy one. Said regular coffee wasn’t good enough anymore.”
“It’s not fancy, it’s quality,” Hazel corrected, hopping onto the counter. “There’s a difference.”
Oliver rolled his eyes, but his expression was fond.
I settled onto one of the barstools, watching them move around each other with the ease of people who’d been together long enough to anticipate each other’s movements.
“So,” Hazel said, studying me. “How was the drive?”
“Long. Ethan asked approximately seven hundred questions about tall buildings.”
“Seven hundred seems conservative.” Oliver handed me a perfectly pulled espresso. “Sugar? Cream?”
“Just cream, thanks.”
He passed me a small pitcher. The coffee was excellent, rich and smooth without the bitterness I sometimes got at home.
“The party’s at a venue downtown,” Hazel said. “Everything’s getting set up now. We’re heading over around four, give them time to finish decorating and all that. It’s nothing crazy. Family, friends, some colleagues from the hospital.”
“Sounds exactly like every family party I’ve ever been to.”
“That’s the spirit.” Hazel hopped off the counter. “So what have you been up to? Besides running the café and raising that adorable child of yours?”
“The usual. Working too much, sleeping too little.”
“Mm–hmm.” Hazel crossed her arms. “And nothing else? No exciting developments?”
I set down my coffee. “Alexander came to Connecticut.”
“I know that part. I was there, remember?” Hazel leaned forward. “What I want to know is what happened after I left.”
“We talked. About Ethan. About everything.” I rubbed my temples. “He wants to be part of Ethan’s life. Actually be a father instead of just DNA.”
“And you said?”
Chapter 414
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“I gave him conditions. Five days to end his engagement with Katherine publicly. Proof, not promises. Until then, I can’t trust
him.”
Hazel’s eyes widened. “Five days? That’s pretty specific.”
“It needs to be specific. I’m not doing vague timelines or empty promises anymore.” I gripped my mug tighter. “He says he’ll do it. Says the engagement was never real, just business.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know what I believe anymore.” The admission came out tired. “Part of me wants to believe he’s serious. The other part thinks this is just guilt talking.”
“What does your gut say?”
I stared into my coffee. “My gut’s been wrong before.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer I have right now.” I looked up at her. “He says he’ll end things with Katherine, come back here, prove serious about being a father, and maybe something more. But until I see actual proof, it’s just words.”
Hazel studied me for a long moment. “You still have feelings for him.”
“I have a kid with him. Of course I have feelings.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Can we not do this right now?”
he’s
“Fine. But you know I’m right.” She grabbed her coffee. “So what happens after the five days? If he actually follows through?”
“Then I’ll consider letting him into Ethan’s life properly. As his father.”
“And into your life?”
“That’s a lot more complicated.”
Hazel grinned. “Let’s hope it’s a happy ending this time.”
“Let’s see,” I said, the words carrying more weight than I intended.
Oliver walked in from the kitchen, carrying a tray of pastries. “Who wants croissants?”
“Me!” Ethan bounced over immediately, his books forgotten.
I watched my son attack a chocolate croissant with enthusiasm, Hazel chattering about party details, Oliver laughing at something Ethan said.
Normal. This was normal.
But next week, everything might change.
The venue was elegant yet warm, decorated with tasteful birthday decorations that somehow remained festive without crossing into tacky territory. White lights strung along exposed brick walls, scattered throughout the space. Fresh flowers adorned every table. The whole place had that effortlessly expensive vibe that Oliver’s family seemed to specialize in
Soft jazz played in the background, mixing with the chatter of guests milling around. Oliver’s colleagues from the hospital clustered near the bar, laughing about something. Family members hugged and caught up near the impressive spread of food that covered an entire wall. Catering trays piled high with everything from fancy appetizers to comfort food classies
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I got Ethan settled at a table near Hazel’s designated “safe zone,” away from Oliver’s more invasive relatives. Juice box, cheese cubes, crackers. The essentials for keeping a kid occupied.
“Stay right here, okay?” I said, smoothing his hair. “I’m just going to get you more juice.”
“Okay, Mom!” Ethan was already distracted by the balloon arch nearby, his eyes wide with wonder.
I headed toward the refreshment table, weaving through guests. Grabbed another juice box from the cooler, smiling politely at people I didn’t know.
That’s when I heard it. Excited voices near the entrance. The kind of commotion that meant someone important had arrived.
“Oh my god, is that him?”
“I can’t believe he came!”
I froze.
No. It couldn’t be.
But of course it could because my life was apparently a cosmic joke.
I turned slowly, dreading what I’d see.
Alexander stood in the doorway, impeccably dressed in dark slacks and a fitted dress shirt. He held a wrapped gift, looking relaxed and confident as several guests immediately approached him. 1
Our eyes met across the room.
Time seemed to pause. The jazz faded. The conversations dimmed. Everything narrowed to just him, standing there like he belonged, like he hadn’t just completely upended my carefully planned escape from reality.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Just stood there clutching a juice box, as it might save me.
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Chapte
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
