Book Two in the "Alcaraz Duology"
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Catalina Alcaraz is a single mother with a past that she doesn't wish to revisit. She has managed to become a successful doctor and to create a life of her own desp...
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"How many scoops exactly can I get?" Orion asks, gazing at every flavor of ice cream in front of him.
"How many were you thinking of getting?" I glance at him.
He gives a nervous smile. "Three."
"Three is fine." I assure with a smile of my own.
"Thank you." He gently releases his hold on my arm as I take seat while he goes to order our ice cream.
He asked for ice cream after we had picked up his new soccer uniform for the new season and because it is hot out today. It's been a while since we've taken a seat and appreciated the beauty of the weather while savoring something sweet. In a way, this is also an excellent thing to do for a mental break after everything that has happened.
Orion comes back a short while later with a cone for him and one for me. He takes hold of my hand right away when I stand, because despite the fact that I am perfectly capable of walking, he is still very helpful and cautious around me.
We sit down at the tables that are outside the parlor. There is a brief moment of silence before my darling boy opens his mouth.
"Are you in love with Silas?" It's such a random and sudden question.
"He told me he wanted to marry you and give me siblings." He then informs me with a lot of assurance.
I choke on the ice cream for a moment. "What?"
"If he proposes, will you accept?" Orion smiles smugly.
"I don't know." I quietly reply because it's all been a little too much for me lately when it comes to my relationship with Silas.
He comes to a conclusion. "So, you don't love him."
"No, I do." I admit it without thinking it through.
Orion has the biggest smile "You love him?"
I stay silent for a moment, afraid to admit it out loud. My eyes wander around our surroundings, and that's when I notice that the bodyguards that typically follow us around are nowhere to be seen. A slight of panic takes hold of me. I scan our surroundings again more carefully. I try to really check if they're gone, and they are.
Fuck.
The only reason that I become a little anxious is because my son is basically unprotected now. I have the sudden feeling that we are being watched and a terrible sensation shoots down my spine.
I get up from my seat, tossing the ice cream into the garbage can near us, all while trying to mask my panic. "We're going home."
"I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me. We can talk about something else." With an apologetic expression on his face. Orion also gets up from his seat.
"No, honey, it's not that. We just have to go." I make every effort to remain calm.
Orion doesn't ask questions for now as he can understand that something is happening. He grabs my hand, and I try to walk as fast as I can toward the car without causing myself any more pain from my wound.
