Shadows of Regret

CHAPTER TEN

Imani Williams

The smell of sizzling bacon filled the kitchen, mingling with the sweet aroma of pancakes as I flipped them on the griddle.

It was a quiet Saturday morning, and the soft light of dawn filtered through the kitchen window.

Kai was perched on the counter, his little legs swinging back and forth as he watched me intently.

His hands were dusted with flour from helping with the muffins earlier, and his eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Mommy, what’s next?” he asked, leaning forward to get a better view of the pancake I was cooking.

I smiled, loving these moments when it was just the two of us. “Next, we’re going to pour the batter for the last pancake, and then you can help me stir the eggs for the omelet. Sound good?”

Kai nodded eagerly. “Can I crack the eggs, too?”

“Of course, you can,” I replied, laughing softly at his excitement. These mornings were the ones I treasured most, just me and my little boy, making breakfast together and talking about everything and nothing.

It was simple, but it was perfect.

Just as I was about to hand him the eggs, the doorbell rang, cutting through the peaceful morning. I paused, glancing toward the door.

We weren’t expecting anyone. My heart skipped a beat, a sense of unease creeping in.

“I’ll be right back, sweetheart,” I said, leaning down to kiss Kai on the forehead. “Don’t touch the eggs until I get back, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy,” Kai agreed, still focused on the mixing bowl in front of him.

I wiped my hands on a towel and headed toward the door, my stomach tightening with each step. When I opened it, I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

Ryujin stood there, holding a large bouquet of roses in one hand—my favorite, deep red, just like the ones I told him about after our steamy sex.

In his other hand, he held a bright red toy car, the kind that Kai would absolutely love.

He looked incredible, even more handsome than I remembered. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and those intense eyes that I used to get lost in were focused solely on me.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. The sight of him brought back so many memories, and for a brief second, I felt that old spark, the one that had drawn me to him in the first place.

But then the reality of what he’d done—how he’d left us, how he’d abandoned me and Kai without a word—came rushing back, and my shock quickly turned into anger.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

I moved to shut the door, but Ryujin was quicker, blocking it with his foot.

“Please, Imani. We need to talk,” he said, his tone pleading, almost desperate.

I opened my mouth to tell him to leave, to go back to wherever he’d been hiding, but before I could say anything, Kai appeared at my side.

He must have heard the commotion and come to see what was going on.

When Kai saw the toy car in Ryujin’s hand, his eyes widened in amazement. “Oh my gosh, is that the new racing car?” he gasped, his voice filled with excitement.

Ryujin’s expression softened as he knelt down to Kai’s level. “Yeah, it is. Do you like cars?”

Kai nodded eagerly, his gaze locked on the toy. “I love them! This one is so cool!”

I stood there, feeling a mixture of shock and confusion as I watched them interact.

I hadn’t realized how much Kai was into cars—he’d never mentioned it before.

And I certainly hadn’t expected him and Ryujin to connect so easily, as if they were old friends.

“This one’s for you,” Ryujin said, holding out the car to Kai.

Kai hesitated, looking up at me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Mommy, can I keep it?”

My heart clenched at the sight of him, his face full of anticipation.

I wanted to say no, wanted to protect him from the confusion and pain that I knew was inevitable.

But when I saw how much it meant to him, how happy he was in this moment, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

I forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, you can keep it.”

Kai’s face lit up with pure joy, and he threw his arms around Ryujin in a hug. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

My breath caught as I watched them, a wave of emotions crashing over me.

I was furious at Ryujin for what he’d done, for leaving us, for coming back now and turning our lives upside down.

But I was also heartbroken for Kai, who didn’t even know that the man he was hugging was his father.

I remembered all the times Kai had asked why he didn’t have a dad, and how I’d told him that his father had gone to space to fix things and might not be back.

It had made him sad, but eventually, he had accepted it.

And now, seeing him so happy, so full of joy, it made me want to cry. Ryujin’s presence was bringing back all the pain I had tried so hard to bury.

“Why don’t you come inside?” Kai said, looking up at Ryujin with a bright smile. “I want to show you what we’re making for breakfast!”

I didn’t know how to respond as I closed the door behind them, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I watched them together, saw how easily they clicked, how naturally they bonded, I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, but not before Ryujin noticed.

His eyes met mine, filled with regret and something else—something that made my heart ache even more.

I looked away, not ready to confront the emotions swirling inside me.

“Kai, go to your room,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Kai looked like he wanted to argue, but he knew better when I used that tone. He hugged Ryujin again, holding the toy car close.

“Thank you,” he said softly, before turning to me. I knelt down to his level, and he kissed me on the cheek, his small arms wrapping around my neck in a brief hug.

I held him tightly, not wanting to let go. I kissed his cheek in return, feeling the tears welling up again.

As he pulled away and headed to his room, I stood up and turned to face Ryujin, a storm of emotions brewing inside me.

We needed to talk, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear what he had to say.