Chapter Forty - Kate
CHAPTER FORTY
Kate
The scent of melted chocolate filled the kitchen, rich and decadent. James stood at the counter, his sleeves rolled up, whisking something in a mixing bowl with that focused expression he always got when he was trying to get things just right.
Kate sat at the table, unable to look away. His arms flexed with the movement of whisking. His broad back was a solid, steady presence, the way he leaned slightly into his work making his frame seem even more impressive.
A sudden wave of heat swept over her. Her mouth went dry, and she had to shift in her seat, pressing her thighs together as an ache settled low in her belly. Her skin felt too warm, a flush rising to her cheeks, and her imagination surged with startling clarity. These pregnancy hormones were relentless, and her body was betraying her in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
She could almost feel him—James—inside her, the way they fit together, the weight of his body, the heat of his touch. The visceral memory of their intimacy sent a shiver down her spine, making her bite her lip as she fought to steady herself.
He was gorgeous, so effortlessly attractive, and it struck her, not for the first time, how utterly stupid he’d been to think he was missing out on anything. The life they had built together—the love they shared—was unparalleled.
Her chest tightened, not with anger this time, but with an overwhelming sense of love. And God, she loved him—this flawed, beautiful, infuriating man.
He had hurt her. Broken her in ways she’d never thought possible. But he’d also rebuilt himself in the aftermath, piece by piece, and shown her the man she’d always believed he could be. Watching him now, his broad shoulders moving as he poured the chocolate mixture into ramekins, she felt it—the forgiveness she’d been carrying silently for days.
He was hers. Her James. She’d loved him since they were teenagers. Through every stage of their lives—through heartbreak, through laughter, through raising their children. And even now, after everything, that love hadn’t gone anywhere. It had bent, yes, but it hadn’t broken.
That realization was like a breath of fresh air, lightening the load she’d carried for months. It wasn’t about pretending the hurt hadn’t happened or excusing what he’d done. It was about reclaiming her peace, about choosing love over bitterness.
Kate couldn’t help the small, fond smile that tugged at her lips as she watched James dry his hands at the sink. He’d been so stupid—so utterly, heartbreakingly stupid—but somehow, the thought of it didn’t burn the way it once had. Instead, it settled into a bittersweet fondness, the kind of feeling reserved for someone you know better than they know themselves. My husband, the moron, she thought.
And now, as she watched him glance over his shoulder with that quiet, hopeful look that said he was still trying, her heart ached in the best way. Stupid, yes. But hers. Always hers.
She just needed the right moment to tell him.
“Mommy, you’re staring,” Lily said, her little legs swinging back and forth under the table.
Kate blinked, startled, and looked at her daughter. She felt the heat creep up her neck and cleared her throat, glancing back toward James to make sure he hadn’t overheard.
Lily tilted her head, her grin softening into something sweeter. “Why were you looking at Daddy like that?”
Kate smiled, leaning closer to her daughter. “Because I love him,” she said softly.
Lily beamed, her small face lighting up like the sun. “I love Daddy too,” she said proudly, then turned back to her coloring book as if her declaration were the most natural thing in the world.
“I don’t...I don’t get it,” Noah said quietly. For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t say anything else, but then he reached out, awkwardly placing his hand over hers where it rested on the table. “But...if you love him, that’s all that matters. I’ll always have your back, Mom. Always.”
Her chest ached at his words, her throat tightening as she fought back tears. She squeezed his hand, her voice soft. “Thank you, Noah. That means more than you know.”
Noah nodded, his gaze dropping to the table. “But, uh...if you ever want to leave him in the future or...whatever...just know I’ll support you then too. Okay?”
She couldn’t help the soft laugh that bubbled out, a mixture of emotion and affection for the boy—no, the young man—her son was becoming. She reached up and touched his cheek briefly, her voice trembling. “I know, sweetheart. Thank you.”
Noah’s face flushed slightly.
Kate sat back in her chair, her hand brushing over her pregnant stomach. She felt the faintest flutter, like the baby could sense the swirl of emotions around them. The thought filled her with a bittersweet warmth.
She was surrounded by her family. Her children. Her husband. The man who had broken her heart but was slowly piecing it back together in ways she hadn’t dared to hope for. She looked at him again, her gaze softening as he slid the ramekins into the oven and turned to wash his hands.
He was hers. He’d been hers since they were just kids fumbling through life together. And even though he’d stumbled—catastrophically—he was still hers. Her heart clenched at how much she loved him.
And later tonight, when the kids were asleep and the house was quiet, she was going to make sure he knew exactly how much she loved him.
For now, though, she stayed where she was, savoring the moment as her family bustled around her, the warmth of their love wrapping around her like a blanket.