“Sonia’s going to come over for lunch to meet Cahal,” I say.

“Of course. I still have a bit of work to do, so I’ll leave you guys to your lunch.” He gives me a kiss before he leaves for his study.

*****

“Oh, he is just so darling! The perfect mix of Landon and you!” Sonia exclaims as we relax in the sunroom feasting on chicken sandwiches. I smile down as Cahal makes funny faces in his sleep. That seems to be the only thing he does. Eat, sleep, and poop.

“Landon says he has my eyes.”

Sonia nods enthusiastically at this. “Oh, he does! I can definitely see it.”

Sadness engulfs me again, but I push it away. Sonia gives me a sad smile. “Do you really have to go?”

I push back tears. “Yes.”

“But why? I don’t understand. What are you running from? Why would you leave when you and Landon are finally getting along?”

“Sonia, please… I can’t.” My voice creaks and Sonia put her arm around me in a side hug.

“It’s okay. It’s okay, I’ll do as you asked, and of course, you have my number if you need anything.”

“Thank you Sonia. I don’t think I could do this if I didn’t know someone was here to look after them.”

*****

Landon and I have a wonderful dinner that night. Though as much as I try, I could not keep my sadness at bay. Landon continuously asks me what was wrong. I feel guilty, knowing I am leaving this wonderful man and our perfect son without an any explanation. But I cannot do it. I lay awake for a long time after Landon fell asleep, watching him sleep. Then I go and watch my son sleep until I cannot push it off anymore, and I grab my suitcase and leave, with a whispered goodbye to both of them.

CHAPTER 24

A Visit to My Father-in-Law

Landon

I wake up to the sound of my son crying. I roll toward Brooke, but she is not there. Thinking she is tending to Cahal, I roll back over. But the small wail continues. I push myself out of bed and trudge to the nursery.

“Brooke?” I call as I enter the room. I pick Cahal up, and he immediately stops crying.

“Does somebody need a diaper change?” I coo at him.

Setting him down on his changing table, I began the diaper-changing process. “Where’s your mom, little man? Is she downstairs getting you a bottle?”

Cahal starts crying at the mention of food, and I bring him downstairs to the food.

“Brooke?” I call out again. No answer.

I quickly prepare a bottle and feed Cahal while I walk from room to room. I check her art room, the living room, my office, all the guest rooms. I put a now sleeping Cahal back in his crib and frantically check the house again, calling out for her. I call her, only to find her phone in her bedside drawer. Under her phone is a note with my name scribbled on it.