Chapter 16 -HUNTER'S POV- Caesar had an uncanny ability to dismantle my perfectly structured life . The constant talking . The endless questions . The way he looked at me with those too - familiar blue eyes - like he expected something from me . And the worst part ? I let him . I told myself it was because he was just a child . That it was easier to give in sometimes . That none of it actually * meant * anything . But that didn't explain why I was already halfway out of my chair the second I heard his voice echo through the halls . * " I want a bedtime story ! " * Loud . Unapologetic . Determined . I pinched the bridge of my nose . Relentless . " No , Caesar , " Celine's voice answered , strained with exhaustion . " I told you , I'm busy . " That should have been the end of it . But then- A wail . Loud . Sharp . Real . I was already moving before I could stop myself . When I found them , Celine was standing stiffly in the middle of the laundry room , her back to me . Caesar was on the floor , his small body trembling with the force of his cries . She wasn't looking at him . She wasn't looking at anything . Her shoulders were tense , her hands clenched at her sides , and when she finally spoke , her voice was tight . Too tight . " You're being a bad boy , Caesar ." His breath hitched. " But I just- " " I'm tired , " she cut him off , her voice cracking . " I have so much to do . And you're crying because I can't read you a bedtime story ? " Silence . Thick , suffocating silence . And then- " I want my mommy too . " The words were barely a whisper , but they shattered something in the air between them . I stilled . Caesar stilled . And when she turned her head just enough for me to see her face , I felt something unexpected claw at my chest . Tears . She was trying to blink them away , but they were there . And Caesar - God , he didn't understand . How could he ? He was 1/3 9:09 pm B BBG . Chapter 16 three . But even in his small , innocent mind , he must have realized something was different . Because his little hands reached for her . " I love you , Mommy ." She let out a shaky breath , closing her eyes as she pulled him against her . " I'm sorry , baby , " she murmured , pressing a kiss to his forehead . " I didn't mean to snap at you ." Caesar nodded against her , his arms tightening around her neck . And me ? I stood there , useless . Unmoving . Watching something I shouldn't have been watching . Celine sighed , shifting him in her arms . " Come on , let's get you to bed . " I turned away before she could see me . Because the way she had said those words- I want my mommy too - had sunk into my chest like a slow , burning weight . And I didn't like the way it felt . Not at all . -CELINE'S POV- Today had been too much . I had scrubbed floors until my arms ached . Polished railings that were already spotless . Redone table settings three times . And through it all , I had kept one eye on Caesar - making sure he didn't say the wrong thing , do the wrong thing , push Hunter too far . And yet , somehow , I had still ended up breaking . Right in front of him . I shouldn't have said those words . I shouldn't have let myself unravel like that . But the second I saw the confused look in Caesar's eyes , I knew - I had scared him . I carried him to bed , tucking the blankets around him as I could somehow wrap him in all the love I had as if it would be enough to make up for the fact that I was exhausted . That I was fraying at the edges . He sniffled once , rubbing his eyes , before peering up at me with sleepy concern . " Mommy , are you okay ? " I forced a smile . " I'm okay , baby , " A lie . He yawned , shifting under the covers . " Will you stay until I sleep ? " I nodded , threading my fingers through his curls . " Of course . " The room fell silent , the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting warm shadows across his face . His breathing slowed . His grip on the blanket loosened . 2/3 Chapter 16 And me ? I just sat there , watching him , exhaustion pressing against my ribs like a weight I couldn't shake . For a moment , I let myself wish . 38 ) Wish that I could close my eyes and forget the way Hunter had been watching me all day . Forget the fear that coiled around my heart every time I thought about what would happen if he ever found out the truth . I leaned down , pressing a soft kiss to Caesar's cheek . " You already have all the love you need , " I whispered . A promise . To him . To myself . I started to pull away- And then . That feeling . The unmistakable prickle at the nape of my neck . I turned slowly , my breath catching in my throat . Hunter . Leaning against the doorway . Arms crossed . Expression is unreadable . How long had he been standing there ? I scrambled to my feet , my pulse hammering . " I - I didn't know you were there ." He didn't respond right away . Just flicked his gaze to Caesar , then back to me . His fists curled at his sides . Why did he look ... angry ? Or was it something else ? I swallowed . " Is something wrong , Mr. Reid ? " His eyes locked onto mine , and for a second - just a second - I felt like he was seeing too much . * Then , finally , he spoke . Voice low . Controlled . " Why does it feel like you're hiding something from me ? " My stomach dropped . I forced a shaky laugh . " I don't know what you mean . " His silence stretched between us , thick and heavy . I gripped the edge of the bed to steady myself , fighting to keep my expression neutral . Because if he ever found out the truth- Everything would change . 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!