It’s been two weeks since that incident and I am still not over it. I still have the guilt that, because of me, my baby suffered. Jayden has now fully recovered, and he has also started going to school. The doctor asked m not to give him too much stress so I applied for one week of medical leave for him. He was happy about missing school and enjoyed the leaves as if they were holidays.
Today I took s day off because I wasn’t feeling well. I wanted to pick up Jayden today but William wouldn’t let me go. He asked me to take a rest, and this is why I took th leave.
I was going through my phone while waiting for my baby when the door opened. As usual, I expected him to barge inside th home and shout, telling each and every corner of the house that he had returned from school but instead, he came Inside silent with his tightly pressed together. His eyes were low and the energy in him was missing.
My eyebrows drew in confusion as my eyes flicked up at William, asking what was wrong with him.
“I asked him multiple times but he didn’t tell me” he said. “You know he tells everything to your first”
Mom was equally concerned for Jayden but she went to bring water for William.
“Mommy” he said, hugging me and placed his head on my lap. “Jayden is back”
I caressed head and helped him remove the bag and water bottle.
. “What happened, Jayden? Why are you do low?’
Lifting him up, I settled him on my lap while William took a sip of water. Mother and William are equally curious to know what’s wrong with him.
Instead of saying anything, he simply shook his head, still looking down but I knew that something was bothering him and he was not ready to tell it yet.
“Teacher said something to you?” I further asked.
He shook his head again.
“You fought?”
He shook his head.
“Jayden” grabbing his chin gently i made him took at me. “Won’t you tell, mommy?”
His chin quivered and I could see small tears in his eyes.
“Mommy, friends laugh at Jayden” he cried.
“Why?” My forehead frowns.
“Jayden wanted to break their teeth but Jayden promised mom not to fight” I could see anger in his eyes as his tiny palms curled into tight fists but I was happy to know he was controlling himself for me.
“You are the best” I kissed his forehead. “Why did they laugh at you?”
“Because Jayden doesn’t have s father” he pouted, his tiny eyes glistening with tears, which I didn’t like s bit.
“They laughed at you because you don’t have father!” I asked out of astonishment.
He nodded with that look that melted my heart.
“Madam asked to stick photos on the family tree. Jayden doesn’t have s picture of his father. They laughed, saying he died ” Jayden’s words came out broken but they were crystal clear to me.
The tears that welled up in his eyes shook my heart. I wiped the tear away as it tickled down his cheek.
“Momm, what is dead?” He asked, his nose turning red.
“Don’t listen to them, Jayden. Your father is alive ” I told him. “And he loves you”
. I have seen the care and love in Ansell’s eyes for Jayden, which was once exclusively for me. I know he won’t hesitate to give his life to protect his son. The least I want Jayden to believe is that his father doesn’t care for him. And I can’t imagine anyone saying that Jayden’s father has died when he is alive.
“Then why doesn’t he live with Jayden?” He further inquired, sniffing.
Now I don’t have the answer to his question. Mom was right, the more he would come to know about the father son relationship, the more questions he would have for me and I want to be left with no answer.
My head turned to William and my mother was listening to the conversation intently.
“Has Jayden see him?” Jayden question once again drew my attention to him.
I nodded my head, unable to keep it hidden anymore.
“Is it, Mr. Hero?”
My body stiffened as he said that.
“Why do you always refer to him as your father?”
I really want to know this because I highly doubt that he has heard it somewhere.
“Jayden doesn’t know ” he shrugged. “Jayden always imagined his father like Mr. Hero ” he said innocently.
My heart pounded in my chest. Even when he has hardly met him, he can still feel the connection with Ansell.
“Say something, mommy, is it Mr. Hero?” He asked again.
“I…” I gulped down as his tiny curious eyes looked up at me with innocence, demanding an answer, “You will come to know everything when the time comes. For now, go and rest” I said, diverting the topic.
“Mommy, Jayden loves you but also wants daddy ” a small sob escaped his throat.
I couldn’t stop myself from hugging him tightly. I can’t see him crying.
“Your mommy will give you everything you want” I kissed his head.
“Daddy?”
He looked up with so much hope in his eyes that I couldn’t help but not.
“Yes” I wiped his tears with the pad of my palms.
“Don’t cry, please. You know, mommy can’t see your tears” I said, gulping down my own emotions.
“Jayden won’t ”
He wiped his cheeks from the back of his palm, sniffed, and tried to muster a smile, and I knew that smile was for me.
“Come, Jayden, let me change your clothes” mother asked him.
“I love you, mommy ” Jayden beamed.
Kissing me once, he jumped off my lap and went with his grandmother while holding his fingers. The genuine smile was now back on his face.
“So?” William caught my attention, “Planning to go back to Ansell”
It was more statement than a question. I shook my head.
“Then why did you get affected when Jayden mentioned the death of his father?” He said coldly.
“Because he is alive ” I stated the fact.
“But th day you left him you said that for you, he died but now I could see a different story in your eyes ” one of his eyebrows raised. “Have you forgiven him?”
His questions froze me for a second and forced me to think about it. Have I really forgiven Ansell?
“I am sure you have, otherwise, it wouldn’t have affected you. His saving Jayden’s life has changed you heart. Since that accident, you have started believing that you cannot raise him alone and that Ansell can protect him from all the harm. For Jayden’s safety, you are ready to forget the past and move forward with him. Isn’t it?”
I couldn’t form any words. I don’t know why he was talking with me so rudely.
“It’s not lik that” my voice came out very low.
“Then why did you promise him the father? Are you planning to accept the offer from Marvin?”
His questions left me stunned. I haven’t told anyone about Marvin’s offer. How does he know?
“Maybe at your age you have grown up but for me, you are still my little sister” his eyes softened along with his tone. “In your young age, I understood that you were getting attracted to Ansell. I always kept an eye on what was going on in my life and I am still not over that habit. I was not able to protect you earlier and now the least I could do is stop you from falling into the wrong hands”
My eyes started pricking with tears.
“You are mature and you have every right to make decisions about your life. I will not interrupt with whomever you go and accept your decision for your happiness but I would still say that you should move forward without looking back it will only give you pain”
I gulped as he stared deep into my eyes.
“Marvin could prove not only to be a good husband but also the best father Jayden is looking for”
I blinked.
“If you really want to move on in your life, then don’t make him wait for too long”