Chapter 7
After dropping off his sister and little nephew at their cozy suburban home, Gideon was all set to head back to his studio to power through some deadlines. Slipping behind the wheel of his car, he gave a half–hearted wave before driving away into the evening.
Matilda, ever the caring sister, grabbed a Tupperware of homemade lasagna from the fridge and handed it to him. “Don’t work yourself to a frazzle, you hear?”
Gideon tossed back a grin. “Keeping you fed is a full–time job. And talk about exhausting–l don’t even have a ring on my finger yet.”
With a playful shove, Matilda locked her brother out, turning to find Logan, her little rascal, giggling on the couch. “Uncle Gideon, the eternal bachelor!”
She joined in the laughter. “Did you have fun today, champ?”
Logan nodded vigorously. “Super fun!”
“That’s the spirit. And remember, when we get back…”
“I know, I know – thank Uncle Gideon.” Logan’s eyes sparkled with a wisdom beyond his years. “Got it, Mommy.”
Matilda couldn’t help but feel like she’d hit the jackpot with such a bright kid–better than winning the lottery!
Just as she was about to call it a night, the doorbell chimed.
Matilda, still mopping the floor, called out to Logan to answer the door. He hopped down from the sofa and scampered over. “Maybe Uncle Gideon forgot something…”
But when Logan swung the door open and saw the face on the other side, his expression shifted in an instant.
Yvan hadn’t expected his son Logan to greet him. He had played out many reunion scenarios in his head: Matilda could have been cold, indifferent, or even still harboring resentment after five long years. But never did he imagine his son would be the one to open the door.
Logan’s heart tightened at the sight of Yvan. In the next heartbeat, he slammed the door shut.
Damn!
Yvan’s very first house visit, and he gets the door slammed in his face–by a kid, no less!
But deep down, a part of Yvan took pride in his son’s spirit, which seemed to mirror his own. He knocked again, this time with determination.
From inside, Logan called out, “Mom, there’s no one there. Must be some neighbor’s prank!”
Yvan’s patience wore thin.
That little rascal, where did he learn to lie so boldly?
Chapter 7
So, Yvan decided to kick the door, startling Logan, who braced against it and looked back at Matilda. “Mommy… there’s a bad man at the door…”
“What’s wrong?” Matilda rushed over, scooping Logan into her arms. His frightened expression made her think of all the dangers that lurked for a single mother and her son. She stepped back, holding Logan close.
“Mommy, don’t be scared; it’s the Boyd family’s eldest.”
Matilda’s heart plummeted!
Why was Yvan here? How did he find her and Logan? Was he here to take her son away?
Fear and determination mixed in her eyes as she clenched her teeth. “Don’t worry, honey. Mommy will never hand you over to a bad man.”
Hearing that, Logan let go and bravely opened the door.
Yvan was about to kick again when the door swung open, revealing a mini–version of himself, glaring up at him skeptically. “Can I help you with something?”
Ah, straight to the point! The kid seemed to know the score.
Yvan sneered back. “What, not going to invite your dad in?”
“I don’t have a dad.” Logan’s retort was swift and sharp. “For the past five years, it’s just been my mom and me. I don’t have a dad. And I don’t need one.”
Matilda’s eyes welled up at her son’s words. Such a sensible boy!
Yvan stood at the threshold, locking eyes with Logan. “You don’t need a dad?”
“Mr. Boyd,” Logan said, echoing the formal address he’d heard from others, “my mom and I have been doing just fine. We haven’t caused any trouble. If you have business with us, please state it and then leave.”
The title “Mr. Boyd” rang awkwardly in Yvan’s ears, a stark reminder of the chasm between him and his son.
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