The Cheater [JenLisa]

Chapter 20

It had been 1 years and 5 months since I'd last seen Jennie in person.

17 months since that night when everything burned. The hotel, the headlines, the hollow silence after I caught her and Kai together.

And yet, seeing her again in the park didn't shatter me.

It didn't even sting.

It just... reminded me.

Reminded me of who I used to be and how far I'd come since her.

By the time Liam and I got home, the world had steadied again. The sunset washed the living room in soft amber light, Somi's laughter drifting in from the kitchen. She was on the phone, barefoot, wearing one of my shirts — her hair tied up in that messy way she never quite fixed.

That sight used to make my chest ache; now it just made me feel grounded.

She hung up and turned to smile at me. "You're late. Did the park hold you hostage again?"

"Something like that," I said, setting my keys down.

Liam ran upstairs before either of us could say more — probably to get his tablet. He'd been quiet since the park, but I didn't want to push. Kids have their own way of processing things, even if you want to shield them.

Somi poured me a glass of water and handed it over. "What happened?"

I hesitated, then sighed. "We ran into Jennie."

Her brows lifted, but she didn't look surprised. "Ah. That explains the face."

"What face?"

"The one you make when you're pretending you're not thinking about something."

I gave a soft laugh. "That obvious, huh?"

"Painfully," she teased, then turned serious. "How was it?"

"She was with Blake."

Somi blinked. "The CEO Blake?"

"Yeah. They looked... close."
Somi leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "And how did that make you feel?"

"Fine," I said truthfully. "Honestly. Just strange seeing her again."

She studied me for a second, then nodded. "Good. I'm proud of you."

I smiled, grateful for the quiet strength in her words. Somi never doubted me. Never made me feel small for having a past.

And that's exactly why I'd chosen her.

Later that night, when Liam was asleep, I sat by the window with a cup of tea. The house was silent except for the ticking clock on the wall. Outside, the streetlamps flickered against the autumn leaves.

For years, I thought if I ever saw Jennie again, I'd feel something heavy, anger, sadness, longing. But instead, all I felt was curiosity.

Why was she really back in the city?
And why did she look so uneasy sitting next to Blake, like someone performing a role she wasn't sure she wanted anymore?

I shook the thoughts away. That wasn't my business anymore.

But then my phone buzzed.

Jennie: I didn't expect you to be at the park. Can we talk?

I stared at the screen, unsure how to answer.

Jennie: It's not about us. It's about Liam.

That made me sit up.
I hesitated for a few seconds before typing back.

He's fine. There's nothing to talk about.

Her reply came instantly.

Jennie: I know he's fine. I just... I'd like to see him. Once. Please.

I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers against my temple. There it was — the real reason she'd reached out.

Somi's voice broke through my thoughts. "Everything okay?"

I looked over my shoulder. She was leaning against the doorframe, sleepy but still alert, the kind of alert you get when you love someone who's been hurt before.

"Jennie texted," I said.

"Of course she did."

"She wants to see Liam."

Somi frowned. "And you're thinking about letting her?"

"I don't know yet."

She crossed the room, sitting beside me. "Lisa, I know you're not the same person you were back then, but that doesn't mean you owe her anything. Not access. Not forgiveness. Nothing."

I nodded slowly. "I know. But Liam deserves answers eventually. About her."

"Maybe. But on your terms, not hers."
Her tone wasn't sharp — it was steady, protective. Somi never competed with Jennie. She didn't need to. She was the kind of love that didn't demand proof.

I turned the phone face down and exhaled. "You're right. I'll think about it."

The next morning, I dropped Liam off at school. He was quieter than usual, but when I kissed his forehead, he smiled, that same open smile that reminded me of the good I'd managed to salvage from the wreckage.

When I got back to the car, a woman was leaning against it. Sunglasses, trench coat, and that unmistakable presence. Jennie.

"Lisa," she said softly, pushing her glasses up. "Before you say anything—"

"What are you doing here?" I asked, keeping my tone calm but firm.

"I needed to talk. You didn't answer last night."

"I didn't because there's nothing to talk about," I said. "You made your choices, Jennie. I made mine."

Her eyes softened. "I know. I'm not trying to change that."

"Then what?"

She glanced around before lowering her voice. "Blake's expanding the company's charity branch — we're hosting an event. I want Liam to be part of it. As a guest. No cameras, just family. I think it's time people see that he exists — that he's part of me, too."

I froze. "You want to make him public?"

"No," she said quickly. "Not that. Just... I want to meet him again. Even for five minutes."

I studied her — the uncertainty in her voice, the nervous way she twisted her hands. Not guilt. Not manipulation. Just something human.

"You don't get to walk in and rewrite the past," I said quietly. "You can't undo what you did."

"I know," she whispered. "But I can try to be better now."

I looked at her for a long moment. The wind rustled through the parking lot, carrying the sound of kids laughing in the distance.

"Five minutes," I said finally. "No cameras. No crowd. You keep it quiet, or it's over."

Her eyes glistened with relief. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," I said. "Do better."

She nodded, stepping back. "You've changed, Lisa."

I smiled faintly. "That's the point."

That night, I told Somi. She didn't argue just nodded, thoughtful as always.

"She gets one chance," she said.

"That's it."

"That's all I'm giving her."

But as I turned off the lights and checked on Liam, a thought slipped quietly into my mind.

Maybe some people don't return to hurt you.

Maybe they return to remind you how far you've come.

And for the first time in 17 months, I wasn't afraid of what the past would bring — because I finally knew I could face it without breaking.