Chapter 6 "Reason To Live"

As Arwena climbed the stairs to her home, a broad smile spread across her face, knowing exactly what awaited her each time she returned from work. Her heart lightened with the anticipation of seeing her son.

“Mommy!” Nathan’s sweet greeting greeted her before she even reached the door, followed by his energetic arms wrapping tightly around her, his tiny body filled with warmth and love. She laughed as she bent down, kissing the top of his head.

“How was your day, Mommy?” Nathan asked, his bright smile lighting up the entire room as he looked up at her expectantly.

Arwena grinned and playfully pinched his nose. “My day was great! How about yours?” she replied, pulling him into a hug, feeling the familiar rush of joy fill her heart as his giggles echoed around the room.

“Awesome!” Nathan beamed, his excitement palpable as he bounced around, filled with the innocent joy that only a child could bring.

Five years had passed since that dark chapter of her life, the one where she had once believed everything was falling apart. The child she had once feared might ruin her life had become her greatest reason to live, her source of happiness, and the one thing she could always count on to remind her that life could be beautiful again.

Though she had moved on from the past, she couldn’t shake the memory of Nathan’s father, Mr. Tandre. How could she? The resemblance between Nathan and Tandre was undeniable. Every time she looked at Nathan, it was like staring into the face of the man she had tried so hard to forget. It was impossible not to remember him, no matter how much she wished to escape that part of her heart.

“Where’s Daddy?” she asked, after cuddling her son for a few moments, her voice soft and gentle.

“In the kitchen,” Nathan replied, tugging at her hand and pulling her toward the room with excitement.

“Hi, Archie,” she greeted as she entered, planting a quick kiss on Archie’s cheek.

“Perfect timing! Dinner’s ready,” Archie said with a warm smile, placing the steaks on the table before leaning in to return the kiss, his affection toward her clear.

Archie had kept his promise all these years. He had stood by her side through it all, becoming Nathan’s father figure. Even if he wasn’t Nathan’s biological father, the love and care he showed for both of them had never been in question. They had never hidden the truth from Nathan—he knew Archie was not his real father, but cared for him as though he were his own. Archie wasn’t exactly the traditional type, but that didn’t matter. He had always been there for them.

As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere lightened with laughter and conversation. It was moments like these that Arwena cherished. But then, Archie suddenly said, “Wena, I’m glad you finally got in touch with your parents. Things are good now, right?”

Arwena froze midbite, the smile on her face faltering as she stared at him, unsure of what he meant. Her stomach churned with unease.

“What are you talking about, Archie? What do you mean things are good with my parents?” she asked, trying to hide the sudden panic creeping into her chest.

Archie looked at her, puzzled. He glanced briefly at Nathan, who was thankfully too engrossed in his meal to notice the tension in the room.

“Wena, you don’t have to hide it from me. I’m happy for you! Your mommy called earlier, checking up on you. She even left her number and asked you to call her when you have time,” Archie explained, his smile unwavering, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Arwena.

Her heart pounded in her chest as the words sank in. “Where did you hear this, Arch?” she asked, her voice dropping as she fought to maintain composure.

Nathan didn’t know he had grandparents. Her parents had no idea she had a child. It had been five years since she last spoke to them—since she had walked away in search of a life free from the pain of the past. As far as she knew, they were still angry with her, still resenting the way she had disappeared without a word.

“Your mommy called! She left her number, Wena,” Archie repeated, sounding slightly defensive now, sensing the change in her demeanor.

Arwena stood up, pushing her food aside. Archie’s face fell as he realized his mistake, unsure of how to handle the situation.

She walked over to the counter, her hands trembling as she reached for the sticky note with the number written on it. Her breath caught in her throat as she slowly picked it up and returned to the table. She sat down, her fingers shaking as she dialed the numbers, the tension thick in the air. The phone rang, each ring echoing in her ears as she held her breath, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and longing.

“Hello,” a soft, familiar voice came through the line, and Arwena’s throat tightened, her eyes brimming with tears. For a moment, she was unable to speak, the flood of emotions overwhelming her.

“Who’s this?” her mother asked, her voice cautious but full of hope. “Arwena?”

“Mommy…” Arwena whispered, her voice breaking as the tears began to fall. Her heart ached as she tried to steady herself, the reality of the moment finally sinking in. “How are you? Where’s Daddy?”

Her mother’s voice quivered as she let out a soft sob. “We’re not okay, Arwena—not since you left.”

Guilt washed over Arwena like a tidal wave, and she closed her eyes, fighting to calm the lump in her throat. “I’m so sorry, Mommy. I shouldn’t have left you.”

“We should be the ones apologizing, sweetheart,” her mother’s voice trembled. “It took us five years to find you.”

“How did you get my number?” Arwena asked, struggling to regain her composure.

“We saw your name and number in a well-known real estate company magazine in Maine,” her mother explained.

Arwena couldn’t help but smile faintly. She had worked tirelessly to become the top real estate agent. Seeing her name in a business magazine was a milestone she had been proud of—but now, it felt surreal.

“Mommy, I’m the one who did wrong. If anyone should apologize, it’s me,” Arwena said, trying to bring a note of cheer into her voice. But no matter how hard she tried, the sadness lingered, clouding her words.

“Arwena, please come home,” her mother pleaded, her voice breaking with emotion. “Your daddy and I miss you.”

“I miss you both too, Mommy,” she whispered, smiling faintly through her tears.

“Please come home, sweetheart,” her mother begged again, her voice thick with emotion. “The truth is… your daddy and I need you.”

Arwena hesitated, the words catching in her throat. Could she face the people who had hurt her? Could she forgive them? Could she really go home?