Chapter 284
Billy’s gaze shifted to Henry after hearing his father’s voice. His big innocent eyes filled with confusion as he asked, ‘Why can’t Mommy make a baby by herself?”
He turned back to me, blinking those crystal–clear eyes, waiting expectantly for my answer.
How was I supposed to respond to that?
I was almost certain Henry had deliberately steered the conversation this way, leaving me to handle this awkward topic.
“Billy, that’s not something you should be asking about!” My tone was probably sharper than I had intended.
When it came to sex education, I was admittedly traditional.
He was far too young for these discussions–some things weren’t meant to be explained so bluntly.
My son’s face crumpled instantly. His lower lip jutted out in that heartbreaking way that always made me feel terrible.
“Mommy, it’s just a question,” he said, his voice small and hurt. “Why are you being mean to me?”
I immediately regretted my harshness. The look of hurt on his face was unbearable, but I still had no idea how to explain reproduction to a five–year–old.
I was caught in a dilemma, wanting both to protect his innocence and to provide an age–appropriate answer.
Henry stepped in at exactly the right moment. “Mommy is a girl, and girls get embarrassed about these things,” he said
gently.
He knelt beside Billy, careful with his injured arm. “Let Daddy tell you how babies are made. Daddy plants a tiny seed in Mommy’s tummy. The seed grows bigger and bigger until it becomes a baby. When the baby is big enough, it comes out of
Mommy’s tummy. That’s how you were born.”
His explanation was simple yet effective, perfectly taflored for a child’s understanding while making the adult aspects seem innocent. I couldn’t help but give Henry an appreciative glance.
That face–it was still the face I’d once fallen for, For a long time, I’d convinced myself that I was on drawn to Henry
because he resembled Sam,
But the truth was, I had always seen them as completely different people. I’d never once confused them.
The problem was that we weren’t right for each other. Fate had drawn clear boundaries between our futures from the very beginning. We were never meant to have a happy ending.
Henry noticed my gaze lingering on him. He gently ruffled Billy’s hair, but his words were clearly directed at me. “Pregnancy is really hard on Mommy. If she doesn’t want another baby, we shouldn’t force her.” Though Henry couldn’t possibly understand the physical toll of carrying a child for ten months, he seemed to genuinely appreciate the sacrifice.
Billy struggled to understand, glancing at my stomach. “I don’t want Mommy to be in pain,” he declared firmly. “No baby
sister then.”
Henry’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s my boy. You’re so thoughtful.”
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Chapter 284
The picture of fatherly affection and fillal devotion before me was something I had once desperately longed for. Now it only filled me with a hollow ache.
My heart had already turned to ash. What good were Henry’s efforts now?
From my peripheral vision, I noticed Henry watching me intently. When he realized I was no longer looking at him, disappointment flashed across his face. “Can’t you give me another chance?” he asked softly. “Even in court, a convicted person gets the right to appeal their case. Could I have that opportunity at least?”
The question hung heavily between us.
During those days in the hospital, Henry had done a lot of thinking. Though there was already so much distance between us, he still wanted to try his best.
I didn’t turn around to face him. “Once a relationship breaks, no amount of mending can erase the cracks, I said, my back still to him. “The fractures in my heart are too deep to ever fill. Do you really think we can go back to how things were?”
I paused, gathering my courage. “Henry, I’ve never asked you for anything. Can I ask for just one thing now? Please finalize our divorce. Please?”
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