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“ L unch is ready.” Liam came bounding into the living room, waiting patiently for me to put my sketch pad down. “How good does it smell, Mummy?”

“The best thing I’ve ever smelt,” I said, taking Liam’s hand as he led me into the dining room.

“Lunch is served.” Beckett smiled, that same easy, lopsided grin that hadn’t changed one bit.

And just like that, something fluttered to life in my chest—light, sudden, and completely involuntary. My breath caught, embarrassingly so, and I had to look away for half a second just to steady myself. Heat crept up my neck from the way his eyes lingered on mine—like maybe he felt it too. It was ridiculous, really. After all these years, after everything... and yet, there it was. That stupid, familiar rush. Butterflies, soft and insistent, like they’d just been waiting all this time for him to walk back in and smile at me like that.

“Thank you.”

“Did you get done what you needed to do?” Beckett asked, placing my plate down in front of me.

“Almost. Just a few extra touches to add.” I sat down beside Liam and opposite Beckett.

“Well, after lunch you can finish that up, and I’ll be a goalie for Liam while he practises penalties if he wants.”

I arched my brow. “Do you really think that’s a good idea with your leg?”

“Good point.” He laughed as Liam joined in.

“I’ve been promising him a movie afternoon, you can join if you’d like?” I mentioned before looking at Liam. “That’s if you don’t mind?”

“It’s cool,” Liam said with a mouthful of food. “We’ve got enough snacks for three.”

I took the first bite and it was even better than I remembered. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten something this good.

“Clearly, you have not forgotten how to make this,?” I teased, enjoying every forkful.

“I’ve actually cooked this quite a lot over the years. It’s the only dish that made me truly feel at home.” He sipped his water, directing his gaze to Liam. “I’d love to join the movie afternoon.”

Although Liam wasn’t a fan of Beckett for reasons I still had to learn, he seemed excited that he wanted to stay past lunch.

“You two go and set up the movie, and I’ll load the dishwasher,” I offered as I picked up my plate.

“I’ll help.” Beckett didn’t hesitate, he grabbed Liam’s dishes and his own before I had the chance.

Liam was already halfway to the living room as he called back to us.“Great, I’ll get the movie ready.”

The second I stepped into the kitchen, I saw how spotless it was. They’d done bloody amazing. “Wow… I wasn’t expecting it to look so…”

“Clean?”

“Yes, that.” I placed the plate on the counter before turning to face him. “Thank you. I truly mean that.”

“It was my pleasure. It was the least I could do.”

“How was he?” I asked, wanting to know how Liam was before he made another appearance.

“Honestly, he was good.” He chuckled. “That can all change, though. He still isn’t my biggest fan.”

“I wouldn’t worry. If he truly disliked you, he wouldn’t have gone out with you before.”

“He said he was surprised you let him out with me. Do you worry?” He leaned against the counter like he had all the time in the world.

His dark blond hair was a little longer than it used to be, messily perfect in a way that looked completely unintentional. The soft afternoon light caught in his hazel eyes—flecks of green and gold that always made it hard to look away for too long. But it was the ink that really got me, it was new. The tattoos snaked up his bicep, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his white t-shirt.

He didn’t even have to try. There was something about him that made my heart trip over itself.

“Of course, he’s my baby boy. He always will be, no matter his age.” I glanced at the tiles. “I guess I just try to protect him as much as I can.”

“You really are an incredible mum.” When I took the plate he extended my way, our fingers brushed ever so slightly. “Shit, sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I muttered. “Why don’t you go and sit with Liam, and I’ll be there in a couple minutes.”

He nodded curtly before heading towards the living room. I watched him for a moment, and I knew I shouldn’t have. Having him around reminded me of the good times—the old times. I knew there was nothing between us anymore. Well, at least on his part, but I was over the moon that he wanted to spend time with Liam and get to know him. Even if there was a ticking clock counting down his departure.

“Mum!” Liam called, overly excited to watch whatever he’d chosen. “I saved your seat!”

With a smile, I picked up the bags of popcorn I grabbed from the pantry and headed towards the living room, ready to enjoy the movie with my boy and Beckett.

After a couple of hours, Liam headed upstairs to get a start on his homework but not without thanking Beckett for spending the day with us first.

“Right, well, I’d better get going.” Beckett shrugged, slapping his palms on his thighs. “My dad will be here to pick me up.”

I couldn’t stifle my laughter. He soon realised why.

“I just realised how that sounded. It’s like we’re back in school, and I just spent weekends at yours.” He shook his head, matching my amusement.

“Not long until you can get back behind the wheel.”

“Can't bloody wait. Relying on others isn’t what I’m used to.”

“I can imagine,” I replied as I walked out into the entryway hall with him following. “Just message me when you’re good to do something with Liam.”

“How about I pick him up for training tomorrow? We’ll be walking but that’s alright, right?” He asked.

“I’m sure he’d like that.” Handing him his jacket, I continued. “When is your cast coming off?”

“Thankfully, next week, all being well.” He grinned at the thought.

“How about I give you a ride to the doctor, and then we can take Liam out somewhere? No pressure, just an idea.” I didn’t know if it was a good one, but it was worth a shot. “There’s a new miniature golf course that opened up not far from here. He’s been asking to go.”

“I’d love that. Although, Daniel is coming too since he wants to know how well I’ve healed for physio. We can ditch him after,” he teased, his smile lighting up the dimly lit corners of my heart.

“That works. I understand why he needs to come, and then afterwards it’ll just be something for you and Liam to enjoy.” My eyes met his for a second. “I don’t know how long you’re planning on staying, but it would be nice if you made the most of your time together.”

“Don’t think about how much time we have. Let’s just think about what’s happening now, which is me being exactly where I should be.”

Where he should be…

Did he mean with Liam? Or the both of us?

“See you tomorrow, Beckett.” I held the door open for him, seeing his dad’s car parked right outside.

“See ya, cup—” He stopped himself, and I didn’t know if it was disappointment that ran through me or something else, but he hadn’t called me that nickname since we were together. “Em.”

I waved hello at his dad, who returned the gesture as he watched his son make his way to the car.

“Bye, Beckett!” Liam shouted from beside me.

“Where did you come from?!” I jumped, a little startled.

“I’m sneaky, you should know that by now.” He cocked his head to the side, with an inquisitive look on his face. “Who is that?”

“Beckett’s Dad. He’s just picking him up.” I ruffled Liam’s hair as he slid his hand into mine.

“So, that makes him…”

“Makes him what?” I asked, wondering where he was going with this.

“Nothing, never-mind.” He smiled.

“Anyway, did you finish your homework?”

“I’m on it. I just wanted a drink.”

“Off you go then.” He hurried off to the kitchen as Beckett’s dad, Harold, watched him disappear.

I held my hand up to them and waved goodbye before closing the door behind me.

I already dreaded Beckett boarding that plane to Spain and couldn’t help but worry about what it would do to Liam.

Later that evening, I relaxed on the sofa with Kayla who had come over to have a look at her cake design.

“So, what do you think?”

“I absolutely adore it!” She clapped her hands together with delight as she stared down at the design. It was a three-tiered masterpiece, each layer seamlessly blending elegance with a touch of whimsy. The base tier was wrapped in smooth ivory fondant, detailed with delicate lace-like piping that mimicked Kayla’s gown. The second tier featured soft, hand-painted watercolour florals in blush, dusty rose, and sage, giving it a romantic, almost ethereal feel. Tiny edible pearls lined the edges like jewellery. “You’re a bloody genius!”

“I know,” I teased.

“So, how was today?” She asked, waiting for me to fill her in with everything that happened.

“Umm, it was good, especially for Liam and Beckett.”

“And you? How was it being around him?” She questioned, squeezing my hand.

“Definitely not easy. I put on a brave face, but knowing he never once tried to come back for me… It’s hard.” I swallowed, the words bitter in my mouth, like I was finally saying something I’d kept buried for far too long. I could feel the emotion rising—tight in my throat, stinging behind my eyes—but I forced it down, just like I always did. There was this deep, hollow ache sitting in my chest, the kind that never really went away, only got quieter over the years.

“But we know why he didn’t. That fucking arsehole, Mike.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“No, I know that, but it breaks my heart that Beckett thought I’d have given up on us the second he got on that plane.” I rubbed my eyes, avoiding her gaze.

“I know. I know it does, and we may have a good idea of what Mike did and said, but we’ll never know it word for word.”

“I hate him for what he did. I hate that he wormed his way into my life and Liam’s when I was at my weakest point.” I sighed.

“He’s an absolute dickhead, but I trust that Beckett will put that fucker in his place.” She wrinkled her nose in frustration. “He robbed Liam and you of so much, and he deserves all he gets.” She seethed.

“I spent years hating Beckett. Missing him. I spent years wondering what I did that made him forget me. I spent years?—”

“Don’t think about the past anymore. It’ll just hurt too much,” she said in the softest possible way.

“Hmm, you’re right.”

“I know I am.” She winked. “Do you know when you’ll tell Liam?”

“No, we’re just taking each day as it comes, and then we’ll know when the time’s right.”

Almost nine years ago…

Seeing Beckett’s name flash on my phone filled me with the hope that he wanted this baby as much as I did.

“Beck?” I smiled, nervously waiting to hear his voice.

“It’s Mike… Sorry.”

“Why are you calling from Beck’s phone?” I queried, confused.

“Because…” He was stalling, something wasn’t right.

“Did you speak to him, Mike?” I asked hopefully, clutching at my necklace.

“I did. I’m so sorry, Em. He doesn’t want to know about the baby.”

“What do you mean?” My breath caught in my throat. I felt as though my world was crumbling with every single word.

“He said he doesn’t care about you or the baby.” He paused as my heart broke. “You’re not even a thought in his head anymore. He’s already sleeping around, Em.”

“N-no. He wouldn’t…” I sobbed.

“He would and he is. He doesn’t want you, Emily. You were just someone to pass the time for him.”

His words cut deeper than any knife ever would. I sank to the floor of my bedroom, my hand splayed across my stomach. “Can’t you talk to him… Can’t you try?” I pleaded.

“I tried already. He doesn’t care.” He sighed. “He said it’ll ruin his career, and he chooses that over you.”

As the words sank in, a wave of nausea washed over me. I pressed my hand to my mouth, my stomach violently twisting. I couldn’t stop myself as I rushed to the bathroom, barely making it there before heaving.

I leaned over the sink, the vile taste lingering as tears streamed down my cheeks. His words shattered me. I felt empty, and broken. With every tear I cried, I gasped for breath as I sank onto the cool tiles of the bathroom, the reality quickly sinking in.

“Em? Are you still there?” Mike shouted through the receiver of the phone, his voice laced with worry.

“I have to go.” I cried as he protested, but that meant nothing to me as I hung up. My phone slipped from my grasp and clattered to the floor.

How could he do this to me?

How could I do this alone?

All I had were endless questions with no answers.

Over the days that followed, I did try to call him. I tried to make him see sense, but all I got was his honeyed tone on his voicemail. I had to accept it was over, and that the man didn’t have the balls to tell me himself. That’s what cut the most.

I wasn’t even worth a phone call.

My finger hovered over the block button. It was as far as I could go without deleting his number. Taking a deep breath, I pressed it, cutting him out of our lives for good.