You and Drew met six months ago, and you’d been dating for four.

Most of the time you saw each other outside or at his place — rarely in the evenings, and almost never at yours. Drew never questioned it, but you knew why.

The reason was Nolan.

Your son. The one secret you had kept from him.

It wasn’t because you didn’t trust Drew. You were terrified. Afraid that history would repeat itself — that he would leave you the same way your ex had when he learned you were pregnant. That wound never really healed.

You knew one day you’d have to tell Drew. But fear held you back. And so you kept it hidden, even though it ate at you more and more.

That Sunday evening you sat cross-legged on the living room floor, Nolan giggling beside you, running his little toy cars in messy circles. For a few hours, everything felt safe.

Until the doorbell rang.

Your heart jumped. You weren’t expecting anyone. Slowly, you got up and opened the door.

And there he was. Drew.

“Hey, baby,” he smiled softly, hands in his pockets. “I hope I’m not bothering you… I was in the neighborhood and thou—”

His words cut off by a small voice echoing from behind you.

“Mommy!” Nolan shouted from the living room.

You froze. Drew blinked. For a moment, time felt like it stopped. His eyes flickered from you to the sound, confusion painting his face.

“…Mommy?” he repeated, quieter this time.

Before you could even think of an excuse, Nolan came running. His little footsteps echoed against the hardwood floor as he sprinted straight toward you. A wide grin lit up his face, toy car still clutched in one hand.

“Mommy, blue car!” he laughed, showing you the car with all the innocence in the world. But then his eyes landed on Drew. For a second, Nolan froze too, tilting his head curiously.

Drew’s gaze shifted between you and the boy. His jaw tensed, his brows furrowed — like he was trying to piece together a puzzle he hadn’t even known existed.

“Who’s… this?” Drew finally asked, voice low, almost careful.

Nolan, unaware of the tension, tugged gently at your hand. “Mommy, who dat?” he asked with big, curious eyes, pointing at Drew.

The air was thick, heavy, as if the truth you had been hiding for months had finally broken free on its own.

Drew blinked again, his throat tightening. He looked from Nolan back to you, waiting —needing — an explanation.

Your heart raced so fast you thought it might burst. This was the moment you had feared for months, the one you thought you could keep away just a little longer.

You opened your mouth, but no words came out. Nolan, however, had no such hesitation. Nolan let go of the toy and toddled closer, tugging gently at your leg as if to claim you.

“Mommy?” he said again, softer this time, before his curious gaze turned back up to Drew.