Chapter 2
Edward pressed me back against the armchair. "Yolanda, do you even realize I've been searching for you for eight years?
"Whose kid is this?"
He locked eyes with me, clearly expecting my answer.
I didn't want to tell him the truth.
Eight years had gone by, and any love I had for Edward was long gone.
The wind caught my sleeve, exposing the scars on my wrist.
Back when we first split, I couldn't stop myself from self-harming, slashing my wrists.
But thankfully, those days were behind me now.
Now, all I wanted was to take Harry, move to another city, and cut Edward out of our lives for good.
"He's my boyfriend's, of course. But luck wasn't on my side. He died in a car accident," I replied.
But Harry started bawling his eyes out.
"Dad, please don't be mean to Mom, okay?" Harry sobbed.
Edward's eyes went wide as he stared at Harry, tracing his fingers gently over Harry's brows and eyes.
"He looks just like me. He really does," Edward murmured.
Edward grabbed my shoulders and said, "So, he really is my son, isn't he?"
I shoved him away, picked Harry up, opened the car door, and stepped out.
I said, "Edward, even if Harry is your kid, we can't go back to how things were.
"We've both moved on. We have new lives now."
I'd made it through everything on my own, and I wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
Edward was grinning like an idiot as he pulled a model airplane from the passenger seat and offered it to Harry.
He said, "Harry, this is a welcome gift from Dad.
"I was just messing with you and your mom earlier. Honestly, all these years, I've just been hoping you and your mom would come back. That kid isn't mine. He's my coworker's kid.
"I've been looking after him so much that he got used to calling me 'Dad'."
"My coworker's a guy," Edward mumbled, a little embarrassed.
He gently patted Harry's head. "Why don't you and your mom move back in with me? We'll be a family again, and we'll never be separated."
Harry looked at me.
I gently tousled his hair.
"This is your choice, Harry. Whatever you decide, I will respect it," I said.
Harry reached out and took the model airplane from Edward, happily smiling.
He said, "Thanks, Dad. But Mom and I need to think it over together before deciding about coming home.
"I don't want Mom to get hurt because of my choice again."
My eyes welled up with tears as I gently patted his head.
"Dad, Mom and I are going home now," Harry said.
I took Harry's hand and said goodbye to Edward.
Once we got home, I pulled Harry into a gentle hug. "Harry, what do you say we move somewhere else and start fresh?"
Harry stared down at the model airplane in his hands.
"Mom, I know you like Mark, but... I'm scared," Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper.
His little arms wrapped around me, his voice trembling.
"I'm scared that if you marry Mark and have another baby, you'll stop loving me," he whispered.
His tears soaked into my back as he hugged me, and I gently wiped them away with my thumb.
Harry lifted the model airplane, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He said, "Mom, how about we give Dad three chances?
"If Dad really doesn't love me, then I'll be okay with you being with Mark."
I ruffled his soft hair and smiled. "Okay."
Harry kissed me on the cheek.
Well, just three chances.
If Edward really did love Harry, I wouldn't mind raising him together. But as for getting back together with him, that was never happening.
If Edward didn't care about Harry, I'd just pack up and leave with Harry again. Maybe by then, Harry wouldn't be so desperate for a father's love.
My phone buzzed.
It was a message from Edward.
He was already waiting for us downstairs.
I packed a few outfits and took Harry's hand as we headed downstairs.
As soon as Harry saw Edward, he ran straight into his arms.
Edward ruffled his hair and scooped him up, carrying him to the car.
Eight years had gone by, and the Grant family had moved from Torrinia to Seasus. Their new villa was even bigger than the last one.
As soon as we stepped into the living room, my mom stared at me like she wanted to tear me apart.
"So you brought a kid back with you this time? Edward, don't end up raising someone else's child," she said coldly.
I knew it. My mom never wanted me back here.
She never liked me.
She blames me for my dad's death. If Dad hadn't gone out in the rain to get me, he wouldn't have died in that car crash.
Honestly, she'd rather I were dead.
Edward's dad, Richard, just sat there in his chair the whole time, not saying a word.
Edward grabbed my hand, practically daring my mom to say something.
He said, "You're just a mistress who wormed her way in. What right do you have to judge my wife and kid?
"Not even my dad gets to say that."
My mom was so pissed that she was practically grinding her teeth. Then she turned to Richard and started acting all cute and needy.
"Richard, look at your son," she whined.
She nestled into Richard's arms like some helpless little bird.
I just felt sick to my stomach.
Richard patted her head and banged his hand on the table. "Enough already. You two never let me have a peaceful day."
He glared at me, his face full of anger.
See? Nobody here actually wanted me back.