Page 77 of Back to Willow

An eye for an eye. And the hurt is visible as her eyes widen, and she takes a staggering step back. Douchebag shakes his head disapprovingly while her eyes get shiny again as the new tears form, and I mentally curse myself. My impulsiveness has always gotten the best of me.

“Shit, Lo—”

The building’s door slams open, catching all of our attention. A kid rushes outside, and I immediately recognize him as Jake’s son. A tiny smile finds its way to my face as I watch him latch onto his aunt’s leg.

“Jake says it’s time to say goodbye to the guests,” he informs her while looking at me curiously. He looks up, and his mouth opens to speak, but he freezes at the sight of her crying.

It only makes me feel guiltier.

Just then, Jake comes running towards us, stopping right beside his sister. “Shit, Lo. The sneaky little shit slipped away wi–” He pauses midsentence when he notices me, eyes widening.

Then the young boy—Dylan, I think—speaks again, “Are you crying, Mummy?”

I stiffen. Surely, I didn’t hear it right.

But then, he repeats the word.

“Don’t be sad, Mummy. I loved the party!” his voice cracks. “Please don’t cry.”

Mummy?

Rendered motionless and stunned, I rack my brain for an explanation, but none comes to mind. At least not one that doesn’t burn my heart to ashes.

My brain spirals into a black hole of hurt at the realisation of what it implies. “Mummy?” I whisper.

TWENTY-SIX

Willow

TherearemomentsIregret in my life—deeply—but none like this one.

My brain is a jumbled mess, incapacitating my body from the action it should have. With Dylan crying from watching me cry, attached to me, and Arthur’s warm chest grazing my back, the last thing I can do is think—or act.

I can’t even look at him.

My knees almost give away from the panic. Powering through, I pick Dylan up, and he automatically latches onto me, wrapping his arms around my neck. My baby’s tiny fists grip the back of my shirt, holding me as tight as I am holding him.My haven.

The comfort of his hold is the only thing I can manage to focus on in the midst of such stress. I can’t even look around me to see how many people are outside, witnessing this. Because if I do, I’ll surely break down.

Instead, I let my brother take over, believing he’ll have my back.

“Okay, let’s calm down. Look at her state, mate,” Jake’s voice sounds out. “I think you better finish this conversation some other day.”

“Calm down? Jake, she’s had a kid this whole time!” he shouts, surely bringing more attention to the scene outside.

A sob breaks free, and Dylan’s shaky whisper is the only thing grounding me.

“I love you, Mummy,” he keeps repeating.

“I thought he was yours?” Liam presses, and the long silence that follows seems to give him the answer he dreads. “How old is he?”

More silence.

“Is he mine?” his low and angry growl brings goosebumps to my skin.

He isfurious.

However, my biggest concern is Dylan. He’s right here and might not be watching it all unfold, but he is certainly listening. This kid is quick-witted and will understand what this is about in no time. About him.

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