Aiden Harper

Confrontation

Eden

I was so on edge that I barely slept last night and worked the next day at the cafe. I needed to take my mind off meeting my mom tonight. While I worked, Aiden sat at a table and read his trashy romance novels. Diego prepared the food while his family checked on us periodically. It didn't ease the anxiety building.

My dad said he would wait in the restaurant until after my mom arrived. Aiden watched the door to ensure we didn't receive unexpected visitors. His family showed up at different times and ordered food. I forced a smile even though I was a wreck inside.

Eventually, the cafe closed. That gave me time to change my clothes and go to the bakery before my mom arrived. Diego locked the cafe and headed to the bakery's kitchen with Aiden. They stayed out of sight. River was working the counter while his cousins drank coffee at a table.

I stood at the counter and ordered a coffee to settle my nerves. It was working while I wrung my hands.

River handed my coffee to me. "Relax."

"What if she doesn't show?"

"She will. Ryan ensured she would show when he wrote the note."

I furrowed my brows, and worry creased my forehead. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath to calm myself, and found a table to sit at. I sipped my coffee tentatively while watching the door and checking my watch.

At seven o'clock, my breath caught in my throat when I saw my mom open the door and enter the bakery.

She spotted me and hurried to the table I was sitting at. "Eden."

I kept my voice neutral. "Mom."

My mom closed her eyes and released a breath before opening them. "You have no idea how much I wanted to see you, " she said, gripping her purse strap.

"I don't believe you."

"It's true, mija."

I stared at my mom as my dad approached her from behind until he reached her.

"Hello, Gloria," my dad said.

My mom whirled around to find my dad standing behind her. I stood up and moved closer to them. My mom's eyes widened as her mouth cracked.

"Mom," I said.

My mom snapped her head back and forth, trying to find an exit. "I need to go." She ran before my dad could stop her and reached the door.

We heard locks clicked as lights flickered in the bakery. Tino and his cousins stood up and looked at my mom while she jerked on the door handle, trying to open it.

My dad jogged to her and stopped her. "No more running, Gloria. It's time you told us the truth."

My mom's shoulders slumped as her expression turned to defeat. She nodded, walked back to the table, and sat down. My dad and I joined her. River brought two coffees to the table and placed them in front of my mom and dad before returning to the counter.

My mom lowered her head and looked at the table while playing with her fingers.

"What happened, Gloria? You left and vanished without a trace: no note, no message, nothing. You just left without a word. Was it because I wasn't good enough?"

My mom snapped her head up as anguish ravished her face. "No, Raymond. I didn't leave because of you. You were everything."

"You could have fooled me." He scoffed.

"You don't understand."

"I don't understand. You left and hid my child from me!" He roared.

My mom winced at his tone. "I had no choice."