Chapter 34
BAILEY
I’m going to miss this place.
I took one last look around the cottage that had been my sanctuary for the past few weeks.
It was small and quiet, but it had given me more comfort than I had expected.
I had already packed my bag, put everything back where it belonged, and left a handwritten thank you note for the owner, grateful not only for the rental but for allowing me to extend my stay.
After one final check, I stepped outside and locked the door.
Ashton was already waiting. He had helped me carry my bag to the car earlier, and now he stood there in casual clothes, hands tucked into his pockets.
Seeing him like this filled me with a strange mix of sadness and relief.
Whatever tension had once existed between us had finally settled.
From here on, we would move forward not as lovers, but at the very least as co parents to our son.
“You know I’m trying hard not to follow you back to Michigan,” he said.
“Afraid I’m going to run?” I teased.
“Don’t give me ideas. I didn’t sleep well last night. You know how badly I want to meet our son.”
“And you know we can’t tell him over the phone,” I replied. “I need to break the news face to face. But I think he already suspects you’re his father.”
“What?” Ashton looked genuinely startled. “How?”
“Well, after the video call, he got curious about you. Maybe because I’ve never introduced him to a man before. The only male figure in his life has been Adam.”
“Wait,” Ashton said, his face suddenly lighting up. “Does that mean you haven’t dated anyone for the past eight years?”
“That is none of your business, Ashton,” I scolded. He only grinned.
Of course I was not going to share my personal life with him or tell him how difficult things had been after we broke up.
Being pregnant so young, trying to support myself and my late mother, and dealing with years of financial strain had left me with little space for relationships.
I had gone on a few dates, mostly blind ones forced on me by Sissy, but nothing ever lasted, and none of it gave me butterflies.
Most of the time, my thoughts were always with my baby at home.
Was he safe? Had he slept? Did he miss me?
It might have sounded excessive, but that had simply been the reality of being a single mother.
“As I said,” I continued, “Triston already sensed you might be someone important. I caught the hint when he mentioned that you two look alike.”
“Oh…” Ashton exhaled softly.
“I just told him yes, you do look alike. After that, he went quiet. He’s a smart boy.
I believe he already knows. So once I’m back, you should get your lawyer ready.
I’ll do the same, and we’ll sort out the custody agreement properly.
I don’t want you left wondering where you stand. Let’s make this legal.”
“Thank you, Bailey,” he said quietly. “For giving me the chance to be his father. I know you still can’t forgive me for my mistakes, but I hope one day you will.”
He was right. I had not told him I forgave him.
I was not sure why I kept holding back, even though I kept saying I had moved on.
Maybe I just needed more time. Some wounds did not disappear because of a single conversation.
Years of heartache could not be erased with a few words.
I needed to see that he was capable of being a good father before I could say them.
“I’ve got something for you.”
Ashton reached into the car and handed me a document.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the deed to your family house,” he said. “I bought it and transferred it back under your name.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because it was always yours,” he replied. “I want you to have it. So when you come back, hopefully soon, Tristan will have a place to call home.”
The words tightened my chest. I missed the house, but I was not sure I could live there again. It still held too many memories of my mother and my brother, echoes of a family that once felt whole.
“I don’t know, Ashton. This is too much.”
“You don’t have to live there if you don’t want to,” he said gently. “Just keep it.” He hesitated. “And don’t get mad, but I’ve already arranged for some refurbishment. The place is old. Consider it my contribution for the years I wasn’t there for our son.”
I was about to argue when a car pulled up and stopped in front of us. The door opened, and Amelie stepped out. This time, she looked hesitant, almost fragile.
“I’ll give you some space,” Ashton said quietly, already turning toward my car to check that my bags were secure.
“I was hoping to catch you before you left,” Amelie said.
“What can I do for you, Amelie?” I asked evenly. “If this is about my father, I’ve already cut ties with him. You don’t need to worry.”
“That’s the thing, Bailey.” Her voice wavered.
“When I asked you to stay out of his life, I never thought about the consequences of my actions. I was selfish. After he came back from seeing you, he changed. He looks lost. He shut himself off from me and from my sons. Then he started drinking. A lot. I don’t know what to do. ”
She looked genuinely distressed, and despite myself, I felt a flicker of sympathy. Still, I did not understand what she expected from me.
“If you’re here to blame me for his behavior,” I said firmly, “let me be clear. This is not my fault.”
“No, no, you misunderstand,” she said quickly. “I’m not blaming you. I need your help. I need you to talk to him. I think he’s like this because he lost the last connection to his past. I’m willing to accept you into our family if that’s what it takes.”
Her words sounded like a plea, but beneath them was resignation. As if I were a burden she was prepared to tolerate for the sake of saving her marriage.
“I appreciate your willingness to be considerate,” I said, a hint of sarcasm slipping through, “but I have to decline.”
Her face fell.
“My father is a weak man,” I continued quietly. “Every time he loses someone, he self destructs. And without realizing it, he hurts the people who love him by withdrawing emotionally.”
“Bailey, please,” she said. “You’re wrong. I truly want us to be a family. We can make this work.”
She sounded sincere, but it was not enough.
“I need to go now,” I said. “If I want to make it home before nightfall, I should leave. I wish you the best, Amelie. Truly. And one piece of advice. If you want to save your marriage, be strong. Fight for him. Demand his attention. Get help. Don’t be like my mother, who was so lost in her grief that she stopped caring about her marriage altogether. They were both at fault.”
I paused, then added softly, “Please take care of him. Good bye..”
I left her standing there and walked toward my car, where Ashton waited. He opened the door for me.
“Am I being cruel for cutting ties with my own father?” I asked.
“No,” he said without hesitation. “You’re protecting yourself from being hurt again.”
His words eased something tight in my chest. As I slid into the car, I saw Amelie driving away. I hoped she listened. If she truly loved my father, she would fight for her marriage.
“Thank you, Ashton,” I said quietly. “For everything you’ve done for me. For always stepping in, for being there. We’ve hurt each other so much, and the mistakes we made will take time to heal.”
“I know,” he said. “All we need is time. I’m going to be honest with you, Bailey. I want to fight for us, and I’m willing to wait. No matter how long it takes.”
“Don’t get your hopes too high,” I replied gently. “It might take forever.”
“Then forever,” he said, “I will wait.”
I smiled and shook my head at his ridiculous sincerity. I started the engine, and Ashton closed the door for me.
As the car pulled away, it felt like I was finally leaving the past behind. I glanced in the mirror and saw Ashton standing there, watching me go. My heart ached.
Eight years ago, I left with my mother and no one said goodbye.
This time, they let me go by saying it.
And somehow, that made all the difference.