A lie so dangerous and fragile

CHAPTER FIVE

Boomerang

NOW

I increased the grip on my phone, startled and motionless. A familiar feeling resonated through me when I heard Tristan's voice. He had said my name as if nothing had happened. Like he hadn't shattered me into pieces that I was still trying to heal. Like we were long-lost friends running into each other.

How did he find me? Should I ignore him or turn around and act like we're old friends?

I wished I could pretend it'd never happened, but the anger I'd buried down for years slowly resurfaced, like the sound of his voice had triggered something inside me. I should have prepared myself for this day. I tried to figure out what to say without exploding. It'd been three years. It was better to act like I was over what had happened. I had to show him that I was stronger and independent now.

"Chloe." He called my name again, this time softly and cautiously.

I forced a smile and turned around. His face looked narrower, his stubble thicker. That was the first thing I noticed. A small smile curled around the edges of his smooth, full lips, shaped like a Cupid's bow, as he stared at me long and shamelessly, as if taking his time to memorize every little detail about me.

"Tristan?" I tried to sound surprised, but it came out fake and forced. "Hi."

"You cut your hair," he whispered.

"Yeah," I said plainly, moving slowly to cover Kayden from his view. I hoped whatever he wanted to say wouldn't take long.

He stood one foot away from me in gray running shorts that displayed his toned legs and a sleeveless white top that was soaked with sweat. Sweat dripped down his neck and forehead. His blond hair was wavy, a few strands glued to his forehead from the sweat.

What do you do when the father of your baby is just five feet away from the baby he didn't know existed?

He stared at my face, not saying anything for a while. His eyes were on my short hair.

"You look great," he complimented, and I said nothing in return.

His house was far from here. Why would he come all the way here for a run? And since when did he run? Why today? More reasons I couldn't trust Adrian.

"How have you been?" His voice was shaky, like he wasn't sure of what to say.

I decided to rip off the Band-Aid. "What do you want, Tristan? Let's cut to the chase and drop the friendly gesture." I couldn't stop the anger surging through my veins. "Are you stalking me?" My paranoia set in.

He was taken aback by my question.

He laughed softly. His amusement made me enraged.

"No, I swear I'm not. I'm changing some stuff at my place, so I'm crashing at the hotel behind the park for now." He gestured to the tall hotel building a few feet from the park.

Thank God it wasn't the one where I worked.

"Mommy!" Kayden screamed.

Wrong timing, baby. Please keep playing with the puppy.

Kayden ran to me and hugged my legs, giggling. I looked down at him with a smile and turned my gaze to Tristan. He was staring at Kayden with raised brows. His eyes drifted to me. The question was already written on his face.

"Mommy, dog!" Kayden pointed to the lady walking past us with her dog, which she held on a leash.

The lady smiled warmly at him and waved.