A Ruin Of Roses (Used to be: My Mysterious Husband)

ELEVEN

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟹:𝟷𝟹 𝙿.𝙼 𝙵𝙴𝙱 𝟸𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

 "I'm sorry, something huge came up at work, and I can't come with you to get Jayden. Here," I say, my voice carrying a hint of regret as I hand Rose a couple of hundred-dollar bills. She nods, understanding the situation.

"Be careful. I'll bring home dinner," she says with a reassuring smile. I return the nod, assuming this will be the end of our brief conversation. But as she leans in, her arms gently wrapping around my neck, and her lips brush my cheek in a soft, affectionate kiss, my heart suddenly explodes with warmth and longing.

"Bye," Rose whispers, her voice barely audible, and then she swiftly turns, dashing out of the house. My mind fogs over in a mixture of surprise and desire, and I instinctively grab my belongings, following her out of the door.

The afternoon sun streams through the curtains, casting a warm and inviting glow across the room. My footsteps echo through the empty hallway as I step outside, the door clicking shut behind me. The world outside is alive with vibrant colors and sounds, the distant hum of traffic serving as a reminder of the bustling city just beyond our doorstep.

I catch up with Rose at the curb, her eyes dancing with a mischievous sparkle. She leans against the car, her fingers idly tracing the curves of the vehicle's shiny surface. Her Jet-black hair is tousled by the wind, and her warm smile sends shivers down my spine.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," I promise, my gaze locking with hers. Her expressive eyes convey a mixture of understanding and anticipation.

She tilts her head slightly, the sunlight catching the twinkle in her eyes. "Take your time," she replies, her voice laced with a hint of longing. "Ok We should be back before you," She says Gets in her car driving off.

𝙳𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚗, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟻:𝟻𝟼 𝙿.𝙼 𝙵𝙴𝙱 𝟸𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

 "The test is back, frank is Jayden's father," Jayce sighs, the heaviness of the revelation evident in his voice.

"I think we should have a little meeting with Rose's parents, don't you?" I ask. Jayce nods, clearly recognizing the necessity of addressing the situation.

I dial the number, my fingers tapping anxiously on the phone's screen. After a few rings, Frank's voice comes through the line, "Hello?"

"Hello, Frank. It's Mr. Lune," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "I have a favor to ask of you and Mrs. Fawn. Can we meet?"

Frank's response is quick and receptive, "Yes, of course. Where would you like to meet?"

"How about Lilly and Rose's old ballet studio?" I suggest, knowing that this choice holds sentimental value and might make the conversation a little more comfortable.

"Of course," Frank agrees, his voice warm and accommodating. The arrangements are set.

I hang up the phone, feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Jayce re-enters the room, and I know it's time to take action. I instructed him to gather some of my highly trained men, professionals who are skilled at handling sensitive situations.

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟿:𝟺𝟿 𝙿.𝙼 𝙵𝙴𝙱 𝟸𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙴]

 Dinner has been done for about an hour, and I haven't heard from Jaxon. After helping Jayden to bed, he lets out a sigh of concern.

"Is Jaxon okay?" he asks.

"I'm sure he's fine, honey. He's probably just busy," I reassure him.

"Do you think I could call him Dad?" he inquires.

"I can't promise anything, baby, but I'm sure you can one day," I whisper softly.

He sighs, his worry evident. "I don't want to go back to it being just you and me. You're so happy now, and I know how hard it is taking care of me alone."

Tears well up in my eyes as I hug him close. "I don't want to go back either, and hopefully we never do," I say, trying to sound as confident as I can.

"Really?" he asks, his eyes searching for reassurance.

"Really, really," I add, smiling warmly.

"I love you, Momma," he Murmurs, wrapping his arms around me gently.

Tears of gratitude and love fill my eyes. "I love you too, baby. Now, try to get some sleep."

He nod, and I leave his room, gently closing the door behind me. In the living room, the house feels eerily quiet, reminiscent of the times when it was just Jayden and me, before Jaxon had entered our lives, bringing happiness and companionship.

Sitting on the couch, I turn on the TV to fill the void of the silent house. The news plays in the background, a constant drone that only seems to accentuate the absence of Jaxon. I close my eyes and listen, hoping for Jaxon to call or send a message, longing for his reassuring presence to return.

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝙸𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝟷𝟷:𝟸𝟹 𝙿.𝙼 𝙵𝙴𝙱 𝟸𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝚁𝙾𝚂𝙴]

"Shit," Jaxon's voice drags me from my slumber, and I sit up quietly, walking to the kitchen.

"Are you alright? What time is it?" I ask. He turns and sighs.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up," he says softly.

"What happened?" I ask, my sleepiness fully gone now that I see blood on his hands.

"I broke some glass at work; it fell, and I thought if I caught it, it wouldn't break, but it did," he says, his voice strained.

I quickly grab the first aid kit from under the sink and jump up on the counter next to him. Gently, I take his bleeding hands into mine, though I know all too well that the broken glass story is a lie. I start cleaning the wound with alcohol and peroxide, my hands steady despite the sight of blood.

"I know you got in a fight, but I'm not going to question why you did," I mutter, focusing on cleaning the wound thoroughly.

He sighs, his eyes avoiding mine for a moment before meeting my gaze. "I appreciate that," he says quietly.

Using tweezers, I carefully examine his hand and find what looks like a tooth lodged in his palm. I look up at him, our eyes locking for a long moment, and I sigh. "This might hurt a little," I say softly.

He nods, bracing himself for the pain, and I start to slowly and gently pull the tooth from his hand.

"Ow," he grunts, and I immediately stop pulling, giving him a moment to relax before I continue. The process is painstaking, but I'm determined to remove the tooth without causing him more pain. After what feels like an eternity, the tooth finally comes free and falls to the floor.

"Better?" I ask, my voice soft and comforting, trying to ease his discomfort.

He gives me a weak smile, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks," he says, his voice a little hoarse.

I clean the area around his hand once more, applying antiseptic cream and a fresh bandage. "You should get some rest now," I say, my concern evident. "We can talk about this in the morning."

He nods, his eyes showing a mix of exhaustion and relief. "Yeah, you're right," he replies, his words a mere whisper.

I guide him to his bedroom. "Sleep well," I say, my voice soft, and I leave the room.