Page 53 of Rogue’s Reckoning

My phone buzzes with a text.

Nat: How are you holding up? Do you need me to come over?

I appreciate her concern, but I need to figure this out on my own.

Me: I'm okay. Just thinking. Thanks for checking in.

I set my phone down and pick up the letter again. What would letting Rogue into our lives mean? Would it bring more pain? Or could it possibly heal old wounds?

I think about Wren, about how she sometimes asks about her dad. How she looks longingly at her friends with their fathers. Could I be denying her something important?

I close my eyes, feeling tears start to form. This decision feels impossible. No matter what I choose, someone gets hurt. If I keep Rogue away, I'm denying Wren a chance to know her father. If I let him in, I'm opening us both up to potential pain and disappointment.

I realize I can't make this decision alone. I need to talk to someone who understands; someone who's been there for me through everything.

I pick up my phone and dial Natalia's number. She answers on the second ring.

"Will? Are you okay?" Her voice is thick with concern.

"I don't know," I admit, my voice shaky. "Can you come over? I need to talk."

"Of course. I'll be there in ten minutes."

True to her word, Natalia arrives quickly. As soon as I open the door, she pulls me into a hug.

"Oh, Will," she says softly. "I'm so sorry about all of this."

We settle on the couch, and I show her Rogue's letter. She reads it silently, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"What do you think?" I ask when she's finished.

Natalia takes a deep breath. "Honestly? He seems sincere. But I also know how much he hurt you, Will. This isn't a decision to make lightly."

I nod, grateful for her balanced perspective. "I keep thinking about Wren," I confess. "About how she asks about her dad sometimes. Am I wrong to keep her from him?"

"You're not wrong to protect your daughter," Natalia says firmly. "But... maybe it's worth considering giving Rogue a chance. Not for his sake, but for Wren's."

I bite my lip, considering her words. "But what if he hurts her like he hurt me?"

Natalia takes my hand. "That's a valid fear. But from what I've seen of Rogue, he does seem different than the man you described. More mature, more... grounded. And if you decide to let him into Wren's life, it would be on your terms. You'd be in control."

I let out a shaky breath. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to face him again, Nat."

"You're the strongest person I know, Willow," Natalia says, squeezing my hand. "You've raised an amazing daughter on your own. You've built a life for yourself despite everything you've been through. If you decide to do this, you can handle it."

We talk for hours, weighing the pros and cons, discussing potential scenarios. By the time Natalia leaves, I'm exhausted but feeling slightly more centered.

I check on Wren before going to bed myself. She's sleeping peacefully, her dark curls spread out on the pillow. As I watch Wren sleep peacefully, I allow myself to imagine what it might be like for her to know her father. The thought fills me with a mixture of hope and apprehension. While part of mewants Wren to have a relationship with Rogue, I'm still deeply concerned about letting him into our lives after everything that happened.

I gently brush a curl from Wren's forehead, my heart swelling with love for my daughter. She deserves to know where she comes from, but I also need to protect her.

After a restless night, I wake up feeling no closer to a decision. But I know I can't avoid this forever. For Wren's sake, I need to face my past and figure out a path forward.

With shaking hands, I pick up my phone and type out a message to Natalia:

I think I'm ready to talk to Rogue. Can you help set up a meeting?

I hit send before I can second-guess myself. Whatever happens next, I know it will change our lives forever. But I have to believe that with Natalia's support and my love for Wren, I'll find the strength to face this challenge.

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