Wife Swap ✔️

47

It has been three days since my return, and Mason has been incessantly asking about my whereabouts. Rome, on the other hand, has neither called nor texted me. Each day, I fill my schedule to the brim, determined to resist the temptation of reaching out to him.

If I were to make contact, I'm not even sure what I would expect from him. Friendship? We have long surpassed that stage, and merely being around each other would be an agonizing experience.

"Will you be joining us at the park today?" Fiona asks, finishing up with a customer.

"Will Rome be there?" It is the first thought that springs to my mind.

"No," she replies, checking her phone.

"What about Sienna and Esme?" I inquire.

"We've banned them," she says with a mischievous smile.

"Your friends probably won't be thrilled to see me," I remark, given that Rome was the one who introduced me to them and everything that unfolded between us.

"Could you stop making excuses and just be open to having fun?" she snaps at me.

"Fine," I retort, rolling my eyes at her outrageous outburst.

As I lift my head, I spot Lia and Jax walking in. Jax breaks free from his mother's grasp and rushes toward me.

"A-the-na," he stutters, and I'm taken aback by the fact that he just uttered my name.

I glance up at Lia, and her eyes are brimming with emotion. "You said my name," I whisper to no one in particular.

"He woke up one day and suddenly started saying words and naming things," Lia explains.

"It's wonderful. I always knew he would eventually," I say to Lia.

"I'm relieved and grateful that he can talk," she says, running her hand through his hair.

Since my return, this is the first time I'm seeing her, as she had been staying with her family. It seems she has completely healed from the injuries Tyler inflicted on her.

Lia and Fiona exchange pleasantries while I search for the Skittles I bought for Jax. He plucks them from my hand with a wide grin plastered on his face. It's moments like these that make every penny spent worth it.

Lia hands him a toy and instructs him to go play in the corner. Obediently, he complies and exits the room.

"How's the case going?" I inquire.

"Same old story. Your mother-in-law wants us to settle it outside of court because she believes I'm tarnishing her son's name and the reputation of my child's father. You know how she talks," she replies, annoyance evident in her voice.

"She failed to teach him manners. It's not your responsibility to cover up his shame. Besides, does she not have a conscience after what he did to you?" Fiona interjects, her anger palpable.

Just then, my phone begins to ring—speak of the devil. It's her calling. I raise my phone and display the caller ID to both Fiona and Lia. I can count the number of times she's called me—less than five, and that was during the first year of my marriage, when she pretended to care and tried to earn my trust.

I contemplate what to do. "Answer it," Lia suggests.

I let out a sigh and answer the call.

"Athena, it's your mother here," she says, and I can't help but cringe. In the beginning, she insisted I call her "mother." She probably wants something from me.

I decide to put my phone on loudspeaker so Lia and Fiona can hear.

"I know," I respond, my voice dripping with boredom. I no longer have the patience to be respectful. I'm certain she deleted my number, and maybe Mason had to give it to her again.

"Where are you?" she asks calmly.

"I'm fine, no need to concern yourself," I reply.

"I know we haven't had a good relationship..." she trails off, her voice filled with silence. "Can we meet?" she asks instead.

What? She wants to meet me! What have I done wrong to deserve punishment in the form of her company? I'm about to decline, but Lia mouths "yes" to me.

Without a second thought, I agree.

"Send me the location, and I'll meet you there tomorrow," I say, and we end the call.

"You must really hate me," I playfully say to Lia.

"This is your chance to say everything you've held back. Plus, I'm sure you're curious why she wants to meet you," she responds.

"Probably her son put her up to it," I mutter.

"Either way, show them that they no longer have any power over you," she says

We talk as we close down the Café. It belongs to Fiona though it is more of a side hustle and is considering selling it. I do want to buy it but if I do, I may be left with no money, especially with the divorce and finding my own place to live. I am in a dilemma and hope time will offer a way forward.

Lia leaves with Jax while Fiona and we head to the park.

"Noah and you..." I trail off as I spot the boys. Remy notices us and a smile curves on his lips.

She huffs, "He has a girlfriend now," she says irritably, and I can't help but smile.

"You are jealous. You want him." I tease her.

"Me? I am not jealous of that short stuff." She dismisses me.

"He might not be short in every aspect," I playfully imply.

Her eyes widen, "What did you just say?" She shakes her head, "We have corrupted you."

"Fiona baby," Remmy pulls her to him.

"Don't baby me." she retorts. "This is what happens when people aren't loved enough by their mothers." She swats his hands away.

"My mother loved me just right." He kisses her cheek.

"Athena, what a surprise." Noah says though his tone is flat.

Just then, I notice Rome's car driving in, and I instinctively turn to Fiona.

"What is he doing here?" I ask.

"Oh, him?" She feigns interest. "I am surprised as you are."

I know she is lying. I look around hoping to find where to hide. I want to see him but I don't want him to see me. He hasn't spotted us yet, but a surge of emotions courses through me, freezing me in place. He walks to the other side of the car and opens the door, revealing a girl stepping out. Suddenly, the walls seem to close in on me. As they turn to make their way toward us, he finally notices me and halts, causing the girl to stop too, and see what caught his attention.