23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Noah
I’ve been sitting on the couch for twenty minutes, counting every second, waiting for Lily to walk through the door.
I had been getting ready for bed when the phone rang. "I'm coming home," she said the moment I picked up, her voice thick with emotion. I knew she’d been crying.
"Yes," I whispered. "Please come home, Sweetheart."
The second I hear the car pull up, I open the front door and wait. My heart pounds as I watch her step out. The moment our eyes meet, her soft smile tells me we’re okay. Whatever's weighing on her heart, it isn’t us . The love and bond we share—it's unbreakable.
"Noah," she breathes, arms wide open, and that’s all it takes. I close the distance between us in two quick strides, pulling her into my arms like she’s the only thing anchoring me to this world. God, I missed her. We walk inside the house, my arm wrapped around her, holding her close. As special as this moment feels, the heaviness in the air tells me something’s wrong. I can only hope she trusts me enough to let me in—to share what’s weighing on her heart.
"You're home now," I say softly. "Sit down and tell me what's going on."
She glances down at her hands, nervously picking at a fingernail.
"Lily," I say, my voice tender as I lift her chin with my thumb, guiding her gaze back to mine.
"I need to tell you something," she says, her gaze falling once more.
"What is it?" I gently nudge her as I take both her hands in mine, holding them firmly.
I sit quietly, listening, as a whirlwind of emotions flickers across her face—shock, anger, disappointment, fear. I watch it all unfold, unable to look away and unable to speak.
"And I just stood there," she cries, "as Dad asked Marian if Davey is his son."
The sickening feeling that's been building inside me now claws at my throat, forcing out a sound I hardly recognize. "Your father?"
"I'm so sorry, Noah," she chokes out, her voice breaking as tears pool in her eyes and spill down her cheeks. "All my father kept saying was that he didn't know she was married."
"First of all," I say, pulling her into my arms, feeling the tension in her shoulders, "none of this is your fault. You hear me? None of it."
"But she threatened to take Davey away from you... if it turns out he's not yours," she whispers, her voice trembling, punctuated by soft hiccups.
My heart clenches painfully. "What did you tell her?" I ask, my thumb gently brushing away the tears clinging to her cheeks.
"I picked up my purse and walked out," she says, twisting the ring around her finger before lifting her gaze to mine. Her eyes, wide and vulnerable, search mine for reassurance. "I never want anything to come between us, Noah. Especially not this."
"Nothing ever will, Sweetheart," I promise, my voice low and steady, pulling her closer.
"Even if it involves my father?" she asks, her eyes filled with a quiet plea, searching my face for any trace of doubt.
"Your father didn't know she was married," I reply, holding her gaze with calm certainty. "Now we know why he’s been so drawn to Davey."
"How can you be so calm?" she asks, another tear slipping down her cheek. Her eyes are red and swollen with worry, yet in this moment, she's never looked more beautiful—her raw emotion laid bare.
I sit up straight on the couch, turning fully to face her. Taking a slow breath to steady myself, I say with quiet conviction, "Davey is my son."
"Noah," she murmurs, her voice filled with uncertainty.
When her gaze drifts away, I say softly, "Lily, look at me, Sweetheart." Sympathy floods her eyes—it’s as if she thinks I'm clinging to a thread of hope, unwilling to accept a different reality.
Realizing this will be the first time I share what I've kept to myself for nearly a year, I continue, "Marian's willingness to sign over custody of Davey raised alarms for me from the start. If she ever decided she wanted him back, the only way a court would hand him over is if he wasn’t mine. I was married to her long enough to know just how calculating she can be, so I had to stay one step ahead."
"What do you mean?" she asks, her voice laced with confusion.
"When Marian left us, she gave me a divorce and full custody of Davey. I immediately filed a request with the legal system in Japan for a DNA test. Given her abandonment of our family, the court was more than willing to acquiesce to my request."
I watch as my revelation begins to sink in. First, a smile dances across her lips; then, the kissable dimple on her cheek deepens. "He's yours," she says, her sapphire eyes sparkling with realization.
"Yes," I nod. "Davey is my son."
When she glances away, and her smile sobers, I ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Marian demanded I give the ring back,” she says, twisting it thoughtfully around her finger again.
“She did what?” I ask, incredulous.
“Yeah. She said your happiness was in my hands and that if I didn’t leave you, she’d take Davey away.”
“Because she thinks he’s not mine,” I assert.
“Maybe she was bluffing,” she replies.
“No,” I say firmly. “It was a threat, but to be fair, she’s right. My happiness is in your hands.”
When her hands wrap around my neck, I pull her close until her body melts in my arms.
“Let’s get married,” she says, gazing into my eyes. “Let’s elope!”
“Absolutely not,” I respond vehemently. “I want to see you walk down the aisle in a white gown, your father by your side. I want to write my own vows so everyone we love can witness just how much I love you. I want to hear the preacher pronounce us husband and wife, and I want to hear him say, ‘You may kiss your bride.’”
***
The clock on the nightstand reads two-thirty. I turn over in bed for what seems like the tenth time, wishing Lily were lying beside me. Each night, walking away from her becomes more difficult, but we'll soon be husband and wife, and it will all be worth it, including waiting.
My thoughts drift back to last night when I sat listening to Lily recount what happened between her father and Marian. The battle to keep my temper in check became all-consuming. Every word felt like a blow to my ego, my pride, and the vows Marian and I once shared. I’m walking a fine line between the righteous indignation I feel over Mateo's part in all this and the undeniable truth that I’m madly in love with his daughter. I remind myself that my marriage was already falling apart long before Marian cheated on me with Mateo. If we hadn’t had Davey, I would have divorced her.
The bottom line is I’m going to marry Lily, and Mateo will be part of our lives whether I like it or not. Holding this against him would only drive a wedge between Lily and me, and I will never let that happen. My ultimate goal is to make her happy, so I’m making the conscious choice to let this go.
***
As I start down the stairs at half past eight, the clatter of pans from the kitchen reaches my ears, and hearing Davey’s voice brings a smile to my face an a wave of relief to my heart. He's home.
“Daddy!” he exclaims as soon as he sees me. My nerves spike at the sight of Marian standing at the stove, but I force myself to remain composed.
“Marian,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “What are you doing here?”
“David and I decided to come home early and make you breakfast,” she replies with a cheerful smile.
"Where’s Lily?" I ask, a knot forming in my chest. She should have been here half an hour ago.
"She came by," Marian says, her focus on the eggs she’s scrambling. "I told her we wouldn’t be needing her today."
"You did what?" I ask, struggling to maintain an even temper. "Lily is not an employee."
She shrugs, still not bothering to face me.
"How did you get in?" I press, frustration simmering.
"I gave her the key we keep in the fake rock!" Davey exclaims, grinning proudly. Despite everything, I smile and kiss the top of his head.
"I'm going to say good morning to Lily," I say, craving the escape and clarity of fresh air. "I'll be right back."
"I think you should stay here with your family," Marian says, her voice clipped as she shoots me that all-too-familiar look of disapproval.
“Lily is my family,” I reply firmly.
“Yeah!” Davey chimes in. “Lily is our family!”
I shoot Marian a silent warning not to chastise Davey, and she catches my drift, falling silent immediately.
***
I knock lightly on Lily's door, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I couldn’t blame her if she’s upset.
“Good morning,” I say as soon as she opens the door.
“Good morning,” she smiles, wrapping her arms around me. I pull her close, breathing in the soft scent of her perfume.
“Are we okay?” I ask, needing to hear the reassurance in her voice.
“We're more than okay,” she whispers. “We’re in love.”
“And we’re getting married.” I smile, kissing her lightly.
“What’s Marian making for breakfast?” she asks, smiling back at me.
“Scrambled eggs,” I say with a smirk. “The only thing in her cooking arsenal.”
“I just got off the phone with Dad," she says, "I’m meeting him for breakfast. I think we have a lot to discuss.”
“Meet you back here for lunch?” I ask, nuzzling her neck, savoring the warmth of her skin.
“Absolutely,” she smiles, meeting my gaze with her mesmerizing blue eyes.
I kiss her goodbye, and on my way back to the house, I pull out my phone and call Jon.
***
"Well, that was quick," Marian says the moment I step into the kitchen. "Want some eggs?"
We sit together in silence, eating breakfast for the next twenty minutes, until a knock at the front door breaks the quiet.
Marian glances at me, "Who's that?" she asks, one eyebrow raised.
"Davey, go get the door, Buddy. Uncle Jon’s here to pick you up."
Marian freezes mid-bite, her eyes narrowing as they flick to mine, silently questioning me and wishing I would crumble under her gaze.
"Hi, Davey!" Jon's deep, resounding voice echoes from the front door.
"I think you and I have a lot to talk about," I say, rising to my feet just as Jon and Davey walk into the kitchen.
"Hi, Jon!" Marian exclaims, her voice bright with forced enthusiasm.
"Hi, Marian," Jon says, his voice warm. He returns her hug when she stands and throws her arms around him.
"How long has it been?" she asks, kissing him on the cheek.
"Uncle Jon," Davey pipes up, tugging at Jon's sleeve. "Are we going to see my cousins?"
"Yes, Sir," Jon replies with a smile. "How about we go swimming at the house?"
"Yes!" Davey shouts. "Daddy, can I go put on my swim trunks?"
"Go ahead," I say. "And pack a bag with a change of clothes."
"I’ll help you," Jon offers, his eyes flicking between Marian and me, clearly sensing the strain in the air.
"Yeah!" Davey shouts as he races down the hall and up the stairs, with Jon following close behind.
"What are you doing?" Marian asks, glaring at me.
"I should be asking you the same question, Marian. What do you think you're doing?"
"I was trying to do something nice," she says, her voice tight as she collects the plates from the table. "I thought the three of us could spend the day together."
"We are not a family, Marian," I say, my tone harsher than I intended, but the words come out anyway. "You’re my son’s mother. You have a right to spend time with him, but don’t confuse that right with anything more."
“You’re really going to throw away fifteen years for a fleeting attraction to a girl half your age?”
I meet her gaze, my voice laced with quiet defiance. “Are we really going to talk about who threw our marriage away?" I don't bother hiding the edge in my voice. "And when it comes to Lily, I’m not about to stand here and justify my feelings to you.”
When we hear steps descending the stairs, Marian quickly moves to the sink, and I meet Jon and Davey in the living room.
"I’ll pick you up before dinner," I say, helping Davey with his backpack.
"Let him spend the night," Jon suggests with a smile. "Tim and Bethany said you could meet with them today. Just give them a call."
I nod, wrapping Davey in a quick hug before walking them to the door.
"I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Buddy. I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy."
"Wait a second," Marian’s voice calls out from behind us. "Let me give you a hug and a kiss."
"Bye, Mommy."
"I love you, Darling," she says, pulling Davey into a tight embrace, her voice softening with affection.
I stand on the porch, waving goodbye as Jon and Davey drive away, the warmth of their laughter lingering in the air. When I step back inside, I find Marian making herself at home, sprawled on the couch with a cup of tea cradled in her hands, her expression unreadable.
I settle into the armchair across from her, clasping my hands together as I prepare myself for the inevitable conversation ahead.
"I'm going to marry Lily," I declare, opting to lead with my strongest argument.
"That remains to be seen," she replies, her smile bright yet laced with a hint of challenge.
"Is there something you know that I don't?"
"Like what?" she asks, feigning innocence. "I just think Lily is too young to know what she truly wants. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes she’s not ready for someone like you—a commitment, a marriage, a child. She’ll end up breaking your heart."
"Where did this sudden interest in my love life come from?" I ask, narrowing my gaze as I assess her.
"I love you, Noah," she says softly, her eyes searching mine. "And I want you back."
"You don’t love me, Marian. You just love the challenge."
She smirks, undeterred. "Well, when she breaks your heart, you’ll know where to find me."
"Let me make this clear, just so there's no confusion," I begin, my voice steady. "Even if Lily breaks my heart into a million pieces, you and I will never get back together."
"Never say never," she replies, her smile unwavering.
"Let me ask you this," I say, holding her gaze, refusing to let her look away. "Why did you cheat on me?"
"It was a mistake," she whispers, her eyes darting to the side. "I regretted it and made that perfectly clear."
"Marian, I loved you," I continue, my voice steady. "For the first couple of years of our relationship, I believed we were happy. I thought I had found my soulmate—that we'd spend the rest of our lives together."
"Really? she snaps, her posture stiffening as her eyes harden. "Then why is she the one wearing your family's ring?"
I pause, my gaze locking with hers. "When we visited Jon and Sharon the year we got engaged, I saw how different their relationship was from ours. Even then, I think I knew something wasn’t right between us. No matter how hard I tried to make you happy, it was never enough. My family's ring... it’s sacred. And deep down, I always knew you’d leave."
"I don't know why any of that matters anymore," she says, her voice cold, dismissive.
"It matters to me ," I say, a trace of frustration slipping into my tone. "For so long after you cheated the first time, I kept asking myself—what did I do wrong? What didn’t I give you? What made you turn to someone else?"
"Why dredge up the past, Darling?" she replies, her voice dripping with a mix of sweetness and venom.
"Because after you left," I say, my patience thinning, "after a lot of self-reflection, I finally understood. You never loved me, Marian. And the only reason you're interested now is because I'm in love with someone else. You don't want me—you just don’t want anyone else to have me either."
"You are the father of my child," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "You are my husband. We’re a family."
"I'm not your husband, Marian. We stopped being a family a long time ago."
"You're splitting hairs," she snaps, her eyes narrowing as her frustration boils over.
"You can see Davey whenever you want," I say, my tone final, as if closing a chapter that’s long overdue. "But make no mistake—the next time you come to visit, Lily and I will be married. And I expect you to respect her as my wife."
"I’d like to take David with me back to London," she says, her words wrapped in the guise of a request but carrying the weight of a veiled threat.
"Absolutely not," I say firmly. "My son is not leaving the States unless I go with him. He’s about to start kindergarten. Maybe next summer, Lily and I can bring him to see you, but you’re not taking him."
"He’s my son!" she exclaims, her voice rising.
"And I have custody," I counter, meeting her gaze.
"My biggest mistake wasn't cheating on you," she snaps, her voice sharp and her gaze cold as ice. "My biggest mistake was giving you custody of my son."