Chapter 11
560words
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I couldn't take them back. This wasn't how I'd planned to tell him. But in that moment, I had no choice.
Nolan's mask finally cracked, shock and disbelief washing over his face. "What did you just say?"
"Owen is your son," I repeated, my voice trembling with emotion. "I found out I was pregnant after our divorce."
The color drained from Nolan's face. "You're lying."
"I'm not lying!" I cried desperately. "Look at him! He's your spitting image! How can you not see it?"
Nolan turned to Owen, his expression unreadable. Owen was cowering in his bed, terrified by our shouting, his eyes wide with fear.
"Mommy, please stop yelling," he whispered. "I'm scared."
I instantly softened and rushed to embrace him. "It's okay, baby. Mommy's right here."
Emma, sensing the tide turning, quickly pivoted her strategy. Tears instantly filled her eyes. "Nolan, look how unhinged she is! Spouting these ridiculous lies. I came to visit out of kindness, and she attacks me with these wild accusations."
Nolan's face was impossible to read as his gaze moved from Owen back to me. "Chloe, you can't throw around accusations without proof."
"Nolan!" I gaped at him. "I literally caught her red-handed with a syringe over Owen's IV!"
"A syringe?" Emma looked up, eyes brimming with tears. "I was just tidying up the medical supplies. Where would I even get a syringe? Chloe, you've completely lost it!"
Nolan glanced at the floor again, but found nothing—Emma had already disposed of the evidence.
"Nolan, please," I begged. "Owen is your son! Your own child! Are you really going to let him be in danger?"
My words echoed in the sudden silence that fell over the room.
Nolan's face went completely blank. "What did you say?"
"Owen is your son," I repeated, my voice steadier now. "I found out I was pregnant after we split up."
Emma let out a harsh bark of laughter. "See, Nolan? Her true colors finally show. Hides a kid for five years, then suddenly claims it's yours? Classic gold-digger move!"
Nolan's eyes hardened. "Chloe, I thought you had some integrity left. I never thought you'd sink this low."
"Nolan, I swear I'm telling the truth!" I pleaded. "Just look at him! He has your eyes!"
"Enough!" Nolan snapped. "I won't stand here and listen to these lies. Keep this up, and I'll withdraw all financial support."
He turned to Emma, his voice softening. "Emma, we're leaving."
Emma latched onto his arm, shooting me a triumphant smirk as they turned to go.
"Nolan, please!" I called after him desperately, but they were already gone.
I crumpled to the floor beside Owen's bed, sobbing. Owen reached for me, his tiny face twisted with fear and confusion.
"Don't cry, Mommy," he whispered, his small hand patting my hair. "Please don't be sad."
I swallowed my tears and kissed his forehead. "It's okay, baby. Mommy will protect you, no matter what happens."
But inside, I was drowning in despair. Nolan didn't believe me, and Emma had won. How could I keep Owen safe? What if she came back to finish what she started?
