The Accidental Fate.

Chapter 19: The Fallout.

Rosie. 

I woke up feeling a rare sense of peace, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind. I turned over, expecting to see Nate beside me, but instead, I found him sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at a blank spot on the wall. 

"Nate, are you okay?" I asked, smiling softly, still riding the high of our night together.

He didn't look at me. His voice was low and filled with barely controlled anger. "Why didn't you tell me, Rosie? Why didn't you tell me I have a son?"

My heart sank. The letter. He had read the letter. "Nate, I... I wanted to, but I was scared. I didn't know how you'd react."

He stood up, pacing the room. "Scared? You were scared? Do you have any idea what it's like to find out like this? That I have a son I didn't even know about?"

"I'm so sorry, Nate. I didn't know what to do. I was young, and I—"

"Save it," he snapped, cutting me off. "You had years to tell me, Rosie. Years! And you chose to keep me in the dark."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn't want to disrupt your life."

He shook his head, anger and hurt etched on his face. "Disrupt my life? You kept my son from me, Rosie. That's not something you get to decide on your own."

I tried to reach for him, but he stepped back, his eyes cold. "Nate, please... I was going to tell you. I just needed the right time."

"There never would have been a right time for this," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "You took away my chance to know my son from the beginning."

He stormed out of the bedroom, and I heard the front door slam shut moments later. I sat there, stunned and heartbroken, realizing the gravity of my actions. The secret I had kept for so long had finally come to light, and it had shattered the fragile connection we had just begun to rebuild.

I got up and quickly dressed, my mind racing. I had to fix this, but I didn't know how. I went to Michael's room and found it empty, his small bed neatly made. A wave of guilt washed over me as I remembered my mom had already taken him to preschool.

As I walked back to my room, I heard my mom in the kitchen. I needed advice, someone to help me navigate this mess. I found her making coffee, the smell filling the air.

"Mom, can we talk?" I asked, my voice shaky.

She turned, a playful smile on her face. "Of course, honey. I heard someone having a good time last night. You and Nate made up?"

I felt my face flush with embarrassment. "Ew, Mom, please." But then the tears started to flow. "It's not what you think."

Her expression shifted to concern immediately. "Rosie, what happened? I heard the door slam. I thought it was your father."

I sobbed, the events spilling out of me. "Nate found the letter. The one I wrote about Michael. He's so angry, Mom. He stormed out. I've never seen him like this."

She pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair. "Oh, sweetheart. You've been carrying this alone for so long. It's no wonder you're feeling overwhelmed."

"I didn't mean for it to happen this way. I wanted to tell him, but I was so scared," I admitted, my voice breaking.

"I understand, Rosie. But now that the truth is out, you need to focus on what's best for Michael and for you," she said, gently stroking my hair.

"What if he never forgives me?" I asked, the fear gripping my heart.

"He might not, but you have to try. You owe it to Michael and to Nate to make this right," she said firmly.

I nodded, knowing she was right. I needed to face the consequences of my actions and do everything I could to repair the damage. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I had to take the first step.

I suddenly remembered Michael. "Oh my God, Michael. He must have heard everything."

My mom shook her head, reassuring me. "Don't worry, he was in deep sleep. I already took him to preschool this morning."

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for my mom's help. "Thank you, Mom. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled softly. "You're stronger than you think, Rosie. You'll get through this. Just take it one step at a time."

I spent the rest of the day in a haze, trying to keep myself together. I kept my phone close, hoping for a text from Nate, but there was nothing. Each time my phone buzzed, my heart leapt, only to sink again when it wasn't him.

I tried to distract myself with work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Nate and Michael. Jessica  had been calling and texting about issues with the brand. I had missed several of her calls, and her texts were filled with urgency.

Jessica: Rosie, we need to talk. There's been some serious sabotage with the brand.

Jessica: Call me ASAP. This is important.

I knew I needed to deal with the sabotage, but my mind was too scattered. I texted Jessica back, promising to call her later. Just as I sent the message, another text came through from Addison.

Addison: Hey, are you okay? Haven't heard from you in a while.

I felt a pang of guilt. I had been so consumed by my own problems that I hadn't reached out to my friends. I quickly replied.

Rosie: I'm okay. Just dealing with a lot right now. Can we talk later?

Addison: Of course. Take care of yourself, Rosie. I'm here if you need me.

I appreciated her support, but it did little to lift the weight on my shoulders. I tried to focus on the work in front of me, but every task seemed monumental.

Throughout the day, I sent a few more texts to Nate, hoping for any response.

Rosie: Nate, I'm so sorry. Can we please talk?

Rosie: I know you're angry, but we need to figure this out. For Michael.

Rosie: Please, Nate. I never meant to hurt you.

But there was no reply. Each message sent into the void only deepened my despair. The silence on his end was deafening, and I felt myself slipping into a familiar darkness.

That night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't help but feel hopeless. I had no idea how to fix this. I didn't know if it could be fixed. All I knew was that I had to keep trying, even if it meant facing my worst fears and the possibility of losing Nate forever.

The days ahead would be challenging, but I had to believe that there was still hope, that somehow, we could find a way to heal. For Michael's sake, and for ours.