Nick sat on the floor of the living room, building a small tower out of wooden blocks when Isabella walked in, her heels clicking softly against the marble. She smiled sweetly, bending down to his level.
"Hey, sweetheart," she said in that polished voice of hers. " How are you? "
Nick looked up, blinking. "Yes… Isabella."
"Good boy," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I have a surprise for you."
Nick tilted his head curiously. "A surprise?"
"Mhm." She smiled wider, almost too wide. "You're going to be so happy. I'm going to be your new mom soon — and i'll get to stay here forever."
Nick froze, the small block in his hand slipping from his fingers. His little face twisted in confusion. "My… new mom?" he asked softly.
"Yes, sweetheart. Isn't that wonderful?" Isabella said, reaching to pat his cheek. "You'll have everything you want — toys, a big house, everything."
Nick's lower lip trembled. He shook his head. "No… I don't want that," he said quietly. "I already have Mommy."
Isabella's smile faltered for a moment before she quickly covered it up. "Oh, darling, I know you love her, but this is better. You'll see."
Nick's eyes filled with tears. "No!" he shouted suddenly, standing up. "You're lying!"
Before Isabella could respond, he kicked the blocks, sending them crashing to the floor. He grabbed his toy car and threw it across the room. "I don't want you! I want Mommy!"
"Nick!" Isabella gasped, stepping back.
Kane appeared in the doorway at that moment, his voice sharp. "Nick!"
Nick turned toward him, face red and eyes watery. Kane moved forward, crouching beside him. "Hey, hey, stop it. What's going on?"
Nick didn't answer. He just kept crying, pushing Kane's hand away and hitting his arm in a small, angry swing — a child's desperate tantrum.
Kane caught his wrists gently but firmly. "Nick, look at me," he said quietly. "Talk to me. What do you want?"
Nick shook his head, tears streaming down. "I just want Mommy," he said in a small, broken voice.
Kane's heart tightened. He pulled Nick closer, letting the boy cry into his shoulder until the sobs slowed down. Isabella stood there awkwardly, her expression unreadable.
When Nick finally fell asleep in Kane's arms, exhausted from crying, Kane carried him to his room and tucked him in. He stood there for a long moment, watching the boy's peaceful face. A quiet sigh escaped him.
Later, Kane found himself standing near his window, the night air cool against his skin. His thoughts were tangled — Isabella's words, Nick's tears, Elara's silence at the ring store. None of it felt right.
Was this really the right decision? Was he doing what was best for everyone — or just what was expected of him?
His jaw tightened as he stared out into the darkness.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," he said quietly.
The door opened, and Isabella stepped in, wearing a silk dress and her usual perfect smile. "There you are," she said gently. "I've been looking for you."
Kane turned, his casual shirt slightly wrinkled, sleeves rolled up. "What is it?"
She walked toward him slowly, her eyes soft. "I just… wanted to be with you," she said, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I waited for this for so long, Kane."
He stood still, not returning the hug right away.
Isabella tilted her face up and tried to kiss him, but Kane turned his head slightly, her lips brushing his cheek instead.
She froze for a second, then smiled faintly. "It's alright," she whispered. "You don't have to pretend. Soon, you won't have to."
Kane said nothing. His eyes, distant and conflicted, stared past her — out the window, into the night that suddenly felt heavier than before.
Elsewhere, Elara sat by her desk, a half-finished report open before her. The soft ticking of the clock filled the room, but her mind wasn't in the numbers or the files spread across the table.
It kept drifting — back to the jewelry store, to the sight of Kane standing beside Isabella, to the faint smile on his face when Isabella tried on the ring.
She sighed, pressing a hand against her temple. Why does it even matter? she told herself. It's his life. His choice.
But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her thoughts circled right back to him — his quiet glances, the way he'd caught her when she slipped, the sound of his voice when he said her name.
She shook her head and reached for another file, forcing herself to concentrate. Work, Elara. Just focus on work.
"Mommy?" a small voice called.
Elara blinked, turning. Emily stood by the table, holding her teddy bear, her little brows furrowed.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
Emily tilted her head. "You look… lost."
Elara's lips curved into a soft smile, though her eyes still held that faraway look. "Oh, nothing, darling," she said gently, brushing a strand of hair from Emily's face. "It's just… work. Mommy's a little tired, that's all."
Emily climbed onto her lap, hugging her tightly. "Then take a break. I'll make you feel better," she said with a grin.
Elara laughed quietly and hugged her back. "You already do," she whispered.
But as she looked over Emily's shoulder, her gaze drifted once again to the window — to the thought of Kane, somewhere in that big house, probably with Isabella — and a quiet ache settled in her chest that she couldn't explain, no matter how much she tried to push it away.
Elara stayed still for a moment longer, her arms wrapped around Emily, breathing in the faint scent of her daughter's shampoo. For a little while, she just sat there — letting the warmth of that small embrace calm the storm inside her.
But when Emily's head began to droop against her shoulder, Elara smiled softly. "Alright, little one," she whispered, brushing a kiss against her forehead. "Time for bed."
Emily yawned, eyes half-closed. "Can you stay with me till I sleep, Mommy?"
Elara nodded, standing and lifting her gently into her arms. "Of course, sweetheart."