This is about Oliver, and you almost ripped him away from me. Forever.”
Natalie started crying, clearly shaken by her actions.
“Natalie,” I said softly, aware that Mike had entered the room.
“This changes things, but it doesn’t excuse what you did. It would help if you had trusted me enough to be open and honest.
I would never have separated Oliver from you. He needs both of us. But I am so angry and hurt by the lie.
I went hours thinking my son was dead.”
Natalie sat and sobbed for a long time, cradling her stomach every few minutes.
Then, I heard the sound of little footsteps running through the hallway.
“Daddy!” Oliver screamed and jumped into my arms.
I refused to let him go.
Ultimately, I reassured Natalie that I wasn’t there to take Oliver away. But I was also firm that if she did something like that again, I would be forced to take legal action.
On one hand, I think I understand the pain and uncertainty that Natalie felt at the thought of losing her child. But it also made no sense.
Given the opportunity, I would have told her I was happy Oliver would be a big brother.
I’ve insisted that Natalie and I go to counseling to address any underlying issues from our divorce.
Mike has been a great source of support for her, and I’m grateful that if anyone had to be a stepfather to my son, it’s the man who phoned me and told me the truth.
Back home, the distance between Oliver and me was unbearable. I couldn’t let that be our reality anymore. I opened my laptop, scrolling through job listings.
There was no question about it.
I had to be closer to my son.
And soon.
“Next time, Natalie,” I muttered to myself, “I won’t be so far away.”
Source: amomama
