Page 68 of His By Contract

Theo’s soft breaths brushed against her collarbone, each puff of air making her hold him tighter, her arms aching with the need to shield him from harm. For three years, she had structured her entire world around his needs, scheduling shifts around nap times, stretching dollars between groceries and winter clothes, memorizing which stores had the best sales on children’s medicine.

Now what? The question twisted in her stomach like a living thing. Private schools would replace Mrs. Miller who had beenteaching Theo his ABCs. Designer clothes would replace the carefully mended hand-me-downs. Everything would change, and Georgia didn’t know if she was ready for it.

She glanced at Adrian again, studying the careful way he held himself. His silence weighed on her, heavy as a third passenger riding between them in the sedan. The same commanding energy that had once drawn her in now made her chest tight with uncertainty.

The car glided through an intersection, and a flash of yellow light illuminated Adrian’s face. For a moment, Georgia caught something raw in his expression as he watched the road ahead, something that made her wonder if he felt just as lost in this new reality as she did.

Theo stirred in her arms, mumbling something about dinosaurs before settling again. Georgia pressed her lips to his hair, breathing in the familiar scent of baby shampoo and childhood. Part of her wanted to believe that this could work, that Adrian’s resources could give Theo the life she’d never been able to provide. But hope felt dangerous after so many years of careful survival.

The car turned onto a tree-lined street that made Georgia blink in confusion. Pristine sidewalks stretched between manicured lawns, each house glowing with warm light that spilled onto wraparound porches. She had asked to visit her mother first, but this wasn’t the cramped apartment complex where she had lived, or anywhere near St. Helena’s sterile halls.

“Where are we?” The words slipped out before she could stop them.

“Your mother’s residence.” Adrian’s voice carried that familiar tone of finality that brooked no argument.

Georgia’s heart stuttered. She peered through the window, taking in details that screamed of money. Carved wooden mailbox posts, decorative stone pathways, flower beds that looked professionally maintained. The kind of neighborhood where people had gardeners and housekeepers, not three jobs and overdue bills.

The car slowed to a stop before a craftsman-style house with sage green trim and white columns. Warm light pooled behind gauzy curtains, making the place look like something from a real estate magazine. Georgia’s throat tightened as she tried to reconcile this image with her mother’s old apartment.

Adrian stepped out first, opening her door with practiced grace. Georgia shifted Theo carefully, his weight making her arms ache as she maneuvered out of the car. His dinosaur bumped against her hip, reminding her of the plastic toys scattered across their tiny apartment floor just hours ago.

Following Adrian up the stone path, Georgia’s mind raced. Had he been watching over her mother all this time? The thought sent conflicting waves of gratitude and shame crashing through her chest. While she’d been scrubbing floors and counting quarters, had her mother been kept here, safe and comfortable?

Georgia clutched Theo closer as Adrian pressed the doorbell. Wind rustled through maple leaves overhead, the soft whisper a counterpoint to her thundering heart. The porch light cast warm shadows across wooden boards beneath her feet, so different from the cracked concrete steps of their apartment.

The door opened, spilling golden light across them. Her mother stood in the doorway, and emotion surged up her throat as she took in her mother’s smile. Evelyn looked… different. Healthier. The sallow cast that had haunted her hospital stays was gone, replaced by a warm glow. But it was her expression that made Georgia’s thoughts stutter, not surprise or shock, but pure joy, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

Understanding clicked into place. Her mother had known they were coming. Adrian wouldn’t have brought them here without preparation, wouldn’t have risked shocking Evelyn with such life-changing news. The realization made something twist in Georgia’s chest. This careful consideration for her mother’s feelings spoke of a protection that had never wavered, even when Georgia herself had run.

Tears welled in Evelyn’s eyes as she took in Theo’s sleeping form. Her gaze softened with such immediate love that Georgia felt her own eyes burn. Without a word, Evelyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around them both, enfolding Georgia and Theo in an embrace that smelled of lavender and home.

Georgia’s shoulders dropped, tension bleeding out of her muscles as she leaned into her mother’s warmth. The constant worry that had been her companion for three years, the fear for her mother’s health, the guilt of leaving, began to ease. Here was proof that her mother had been more than just okay. She’d been thriving in this beautiful house, safe and cared for.

Behind them, Adrian’s footsteps retreated slightly, giving them space. Georgia sensed him there, solid and constant as bedrock behind her. Her heart clenched with a tangle of emotions she couldn’t quite name. Gratitude for how he’d protected her mother, confusion at the depth of his care, and a tiny spark ofhope that maybe, just maybe, she’d never truly been as alone as she’d thought.

Georgia eased Theo onto the plush guest bed, his small body barely making an impression on the crisp white duvet. The room held that particular softness of evening, table lamps casting gentle shadows across unfamiliar walls. She worked his shoes off with practiced care, setting the worn sneakers beside his beloved dinosaur.

His dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks as she tucked the blanket around him. Even in sleep, his features held that stubborn set to his jaw that reminded her so much of herself. She brushed back the dark curls from his forehead, letting her fingers linger on his warm skin.

“He’s beautiful,” Evelyn whispered from the doorway, her voice thick with emotion. Georgia glanced over to find her mother’s eyes shining, fixed on Theo’s sleeping form. She’d barely moved since they’d carried him upstairs, as if afraid he might disappear if she looked away.

Georgia smoothed the blanket one last time, double-checking that his favorite stuffed animal was within reach. The sound of his steady breathing filled the quiet room, so different from their cramped apartment where street noise had been a constant companion.

Rising carefully to avoid disturbing him, Georgia padded across the thick carpet. She left the door slightly ajar. Evelyn touched her arm gently, leading her toward the adjacent sitting room where soft lamplight spilled across comfortable armchairs.

Georgia settled into one of the chairs, angling herself so she could still hear any sounds from Theo’s room. The peaceful silence felt strange after years of constant vigilance, but her son’s quiet breathing carried through the gap in the door, steady and reassuring.

Georgia sank deeper into the armchair, the plush fabric cradling her tired muscles. The familiar scent of her mother’s lavender hand cream mingled with the warmth from the heating vent, creating a cocoon of comfort she hadn’t felt in years. Her fingers traced the pattern on the chair’s arm, buying time as her thoughts settled.

Evelyn sat across from her, patient and still, her hands folded in her lap. The soft glow from the table lamp caught the silver in her hair, highlighting how much had changed since Georgia had last seen her. They sat in shared quiet, the kind that spoke volumes without breaking the peace.

“I don’t know where to start,” Georgia whispered, her voice catching.

“Anywhere you want, sweetheart.” Evelyn’s tone carried the same gentle strength that had guided Georgia through countless childhood troubles.

Georgia drew a deep breath. “I’ve been working at this little alterations shop, Stitch & Save. The owner lets me use the machine after hours sometimes.” Her fingers twisted in her lap. “And I pick up shifts at Murphy’s Bar when I can. The tips aren’t great, but they pay in cash.”

Evelyn reached across the space between them, taking Georgia’s hand. Her grip was warm, anchoring.

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