CEO Single Dad Falls For Her, Never Expected She’d Love His Kids Like Her Own
Chapter 4
The problem began with a photograph.
Ava found it while organizing the children’s bookshelf.
It showed Ethan’s late wife, Claire, holding newborn Lily.
Beside her stood Ethan.
They were young.
Happy.
Ava stared at the picture longer than she intended.
“You knew her?”
Ethan stood behind her.
“No.”
“I mean…”
Ava hesitated.
“I never met her.”
“I know.”
“Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
He took the photograph.
For a moment, his expression softened.
“She was a good mother.”
Ava nodded.
“I can see that.”
“You can’t know that from one photograph.”
“I can.”
“How?”
“Look at Lily.”
Ethan followed her gaze.
Lily was asleep on the couch.
Ava continued.
“Children carry things from the people who love them.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You believe that?”
“Yes.”
“What about things they lose?”
Ava’s expression changed.
“They carry those too.”
Silence.
Then Ethan asked:
“Do you think my children need a mother?”
Ava looked directly at him.
“They need people who love them.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“I know.”
She returned the photograph.
“I don’t think anyone should try to replace their mother.”
Ethan nodded.
“I agree.”
“Then don’t.”
He looked surprised.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t make them choose.”
Ava walked away.
That night, Ethan couldn’t sleep.
He had spent years fearing that anyone who entered his children’s lives would erase Claire.
Ava seemed to understand something he hadn’t.
Love wasn’t replacement.
It was addition.
The next morning, Lily asked Ava a question.
“Can you come to my school?”
“Why?”
“Mother’s Day.”
Ava froze.
Ethan heard from the hallway.
“Ava doesn’t have to.”
Lily looked at her.
“I know.”
Ava crouched.
“Sweetheart, I’m not your mother.”
“I know.”
“But?”
Lily smiled.
“I still want you there.”
Ava looked at Ethan.
He nodded.
“Go.”
At the school ceremony, Lily held Ava’s hand.
Other parents stared.
Ava looked uncomfortable.
Ethan stood several feet away.
Then Lily walked onto the stage.
She held up a handmade card.
The teacher asked:
“Who did you make that for?”
Lily pointed at Ava.
“For the woman who takes care of me.”
Ava’s eyes filled with tears.
Ethan looked away.
He didn’t want anyone to see his expression.
But his mother saw.
She whispered:
“You’re falling in love with her.”
Ethan didn’t answer.
Because for once, he couldn’t deny it.
