Chapter 82

Annie's POV

I rested against Howard's chtest, our bodies still warm from making love.The morning sunlight streamed through the blinds of his bedroom.I traced my finger along his chest, my thoughts drifting to practical matters despite our intimate moment.

"Lucy has an event at school." I said. "We should ask her tomorrow about the exact date."

"Good idea," Howard replied, his hand running lazily up and down my back. He paused before adding, "Having you by my side has made things so much easier for me."

"Oh?" I looked up at him, curious about the sudden admission.

"Before you came to live with us, I had to manage everything myself," he explained. "Especially things related to Lucy... I was constantly worried I'd miss something that might upset her. But now that you've become Lucy's mom. you've taken over these responsibilities."

I smiled and teased him. "With the salary you pay me every month, I'd feel guilty if I didn't handle these things. I'd just be wasting your money,wouldn't I?"

"I don't see it that way, Annie," he said, his fingers brushing my cheek."Even if all you did was keep Lucy company and help her improve, that money would be wel spent."

I paused, touched by his sincerity. "Really?"

Howard leaned forward and kissed me softly, "Yes," he whispered.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand.′′Bthe way, I need to visit my mother in Brooklyn tomorrow."

Howard's hand rested on my hip. "Would you like me to come with you?"

Since making our relationship official, the space between us had changed.His touch felt more honest now,more meaningful.

"Yes, that would be nice," I replied.

We lay together quietly until my phone buzzed. The screen showed a number I didn't recognize. As soon as I answered, I regretted it.

"Annie?" Philip's voice came through-that familiar tone of fake concern that always made my skin crawl.

I sat up straight, my good mood instantly ruined. Howard tensed beside me. "How didI you get this number?" I asked, keeping my voice flat. "I blocked you."

Philip ignored my question. "Sarah is pregnant with my child," he announced as if delivering great news.

I turned to Howard, mouthed "Philip," and put the call on speaker.

"When you forgive me and we remarry," Philip continued with stunning arrogance, "I hope you can be generous enough... to accept this child."

I laughed in disbelief. The nerve of this man! Howard's jaw tightened as he listened.

Philip clearly cared about this unborn baby, though not much for Sarah herself. That would make thetruth about Sarah's manipulation hit him even harder when he eventually learned it.

"When that happens," Philip continued, oblivious to how ridiculous he sounded, "I probably won't be able to love you as completely as before."

My stomach turned. Six years of matriage to this man,and he still thought this was how to talk to me.

"Because a young child needs more attention and love than you do." he explained in that condescending tone hed used throughout our marriage-the same tone he'd used to explain why he missed Brian's school events or worked through our anniversaties. "Sarah, having also given birth.will need care as well..."

"Stop." I cut him off, my hands clenching into fists. The memories of being ignored and dismissed for years flooded back. "Have I given you any indication that I want to reconcile with you?

There was a pause-Philip clearly hadn't expected resistance to his grand plan.

"No," he finally admitted.

"Good," I said firmly. "I understandI you love Sarah and her child. If you want to build a life with her, that's between you and her. It has nothing to do with me. I won't interfere, and you don't need to inform me about it."

I had better things to do with my time than listen to Philip's self-serving fantasies. Every word from him pulled me back toward that suffocating marriage where nothing I felt or needed ever mattered.

After a long silence, Philip asked. "What would it take for you to forgive me?" His voice had that wounded tone that used to make me doubt myself. "Nothing." I answered immediately, feeling Howard's supportive presence beside me. "Because there's no possibility of us getting back together.Goodbye, Philip." I ended the call and blocked the number again. I tossed my phone aside and fell back against the pillows. "He's unbelievable." Howard pulled me close. "He doesn't deserve a moment of your attention."

I nodded against his chest. "I'd blocked his number, yet he still found a way to contact me. He's certainly persistent."

"Unfortunately, his persistence is completely misguided," Howard said,his voice hardening when discussing Philip.

I sat up and changed the subject. "Rather than thinking about him,I should focus on visiting my mother tomorrow-whether I should bring anything, and how to explain things to her without making her angry."

Howard touched my cheek. "Is she still opposed to your divorce?"

I sighed. "From my mother's perspective, I should never have gotten divorced under any circumstances. I defied her advice. She'll certainly scold me."

Howard's hand moved to my shoulder. "We'll handle it together," he promised, pulling me back into his arms and making me forget everything else.

The following morning, I woke up early in my own room. Howard and I had decided it would be better if I returned to my bedroom before Lucy woke up. After showering and getting dressed, I stepped into the hallway to find Howard waiting. He wore a dark blue silk pajama set that made him look even more handsome than usual. The memory of our night together flashed through my mind-his strong hands, his body against mine. He took my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. The simple touch sent warmth through me. I looked at our linked fingers,still adjusting to this new reality between us. "What are you thinking about?" Howard asked quietly.

I answered honestly,"You."

Howard stopped at Lucy's bedroom door, his eyes fixed on me. "Oh?"

"I just realized that after making our relationship official, I finally understand what normal dating is supposed to be like," I explained.

Before Howard, I had only been with Philip. During our six years together,Philip rarely held my hand or kissed me unless he wanted something.I'd grown to think that was normal. But Howard was different-he touched me simply because he wanted to, not as a transaction or performance.

Howard smiled, a rare sight that transformed his usually serious face.Before he could speak, Lucy's bedroom door opened.

We automatically stepped apart as Lucy appeared in the doorway, eyeing our joined hands with suspicion.

"You two should tone it down a bitin front of me," she said, sounding much older than her five years.

"Okay," I said, letting go of Howard's hand.

Lucy immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me into her bedroom."Mom,when I'm around, you have to act like you love me more,otherwise I'll get jealous." I understood the fear behind her playful demand. "Lucy, it's not just an act-I really do love you," I assured her, kneeling to look her in the eyes.Lucy tried to keep a straight face but couldn't help smiling. "Well, alright then." "By the way, when is your school event happening?" I asked as I fixed her hair. "Probably next week," she said,not completely sure.

My schedule was flexible enough to make it work. "When the day comes,I'Il make sure to clear my schedule to be there with you..."

Lucy's face lit up. After finishing her morning routine, she came out and looked at Howard, who waited patiently in the hall. "Dad, do you have time next week?"

Howard never refused Lucy anything. Even with his demanding job,he would make time for her. "Yes," he answered without hesitation.

"Then can you come with Mom to my preschool event?" Lucy asked hopefully.

"Of course I can," Howard replied1, his expression softening in that special way reserved only for Lucy and me.