His Ex-Girlfriend Came Back With Their Son — And Suddenly I Became His Backup Plan
Chapter 13
Six months passed.
I didn’t see Daniel often.
Sometimes he sent me photographs of Noah.
Sometimes I replied.
Sometimes we spoke.
But there was no pressure.
No promises.
No secret meetings.
No waiting.
Then one Saturday afternoon, I saw him unexpectedly.
He was standing outside a bookstore.
Alone.
“You look different,” I said.
He smiled.
“So do you.”
“How’s Noah?”
“Good.”
“And Olivia?”
“Good too.”
I smiled.
“That sounds healthy.”
“It is.”
He paused.
“I wanted to tell you something.”
I waited.
“I turned down the overseas position.”
I was surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I realized I don’t have to choose between being a father and having a life.”
He smiled.
“I can do both.”
“That took you a while.”
“I’m a slow learner.”
I laughed.
Then he became serious.
“I don’t want you to think I’m here because Olivia rejected me.”
“I don’t.”
“Good.”
He looked at me.
“Because I don’t want you as a backup.”
My heart skipped.
“I don’t want you to wait.”
He took a breath.
“If you never want me again, I’ll accept that.”
I stared at him.
“But if you ever give me another chance…”
He smiled.
“I’ll earn it.”
I didn’t answer.
Not yet.
Because this time, I wanted my choice to be mine.
Not something made from fear.
