Our son’s face went pale as Derek strode up to us, his expression thunderous. “What do you think you’re doing, speaking to your
mother that way?”
“But Dad-” Oliver started.
“No.” Derek cut him off. “Rachel is my secretary. Nothing more.” He turned to address the gathered crowd of parents and
teachers. “I apologize for any confusion. Yes, Rachel helps with pickup when my mate – Oliver’s actual mother – is busy with her
duties as Head Healer. But she is NOT Oliver’s mother, and I’m shocked to hear she’s been allowing anyone to think otherwise.”
“I’m sorry Derek, please listen to me, Oliver didn’t mean it. “At that moment Rachel came over to me and for the first time I saw a
jittery look on her face as she looked at Derek with a soft gaze.
Apparently, Derek had seen her, too, and his face was filled with rage that, “Rachel. Office. Now. We’ll discuss your… overstepping
later. And let me be perfectly clear – if anything like this happens again, you’ll be looking for new employment. Stay away from
my son.”
Rachel’s perfect composure cracked. “Derek, I never meant-”
“Now, Rachel.” Derek’s voice left no room for argument.
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Photos
Tears came to her eyes and she covered her face and hastily threw them away, but before they did, I caught a flash of something in her eyes as she looked at Derek. That something made my stomach twist.
“As for you, young man,” Derek turned back to Oliver, “we will be having a very serious discussion about respect and honesty when you get home.”
Oliver’s lower lip trembled. “But Rachel said-”
“I don’t care what Rachel said,” Derek interrupted. “This woman here is your mother. Your only mother. The one who gave birth to you, who loves you more than anything. And you will treat her with respect.”
The gathered parents began dispersing, their whispers now sympathetic rather than accusatory. The teacher touched my arm
gently.
“I’m so sorry for the confusion, Mrs. Winters. If you’d like to talk about this…”
But I couldn’t stay. Couldn’t bear to see the pity in their eyes or the rebellion still simmering in Oliver’s.
I drove home in a daze, tears blurring my vision. When had I lost my son so completely? When had another woman stolen my
place in his heart?
Almost without conscious thought, I found myself in Oliver’s room. The sight of his toys, his books, his little shoes lined up by
the door – it was too much.
I started pulling out boxes from his closet. Baby clothes I’d carefully preserved. The tiny hospital bracelet from the day he was born. The blue blanket he’d refused to sleep without until he was three.
Each item held a memory. The yellow onesie he wore when he took his first steps. The tiny sweater he had on in his first pack
photo.
I’d been there for every moment. Every milestone. Every triumph and tear.
Carefully, I unfolded each piece of clothing, smoothing out the wrinkles. The stack of photo albums came next – pages and pages of documented memories. Oliver’s first smile. His first tooth. The day he learned to write his name.
My fingers trembled as I opened another box, this one filled with artwork from his early school days. Construction paper cards covered in glitter. Handprint turkeys. A Mother’s Day card from last year that read “To the best mommy ever!”
What had changed? When had I gone from “best mommy ever” to someone he would deny in public?
At the bottom of the box, my hands brushed against something different. A worn envelope, tucked away beneath
memories.
Inside was a stack of photos I’d never seen before. When I pulled them out, my heart stopped.
years of
Derek and Rachel. Together. Young and clearly in love.
Some of the photos are group shots, of a group out on a field trip, and Derek and Rachel are in them with their arms around each
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other’s waists.
Some are pictures of two people together, in the house, outside. Some are of two people hugging and kissing, there’s one of Derek cooking with an apron on, and there’s a silhouette of two people hugging at sunset.
My hands shook as I reached the last item in the envelope. A letter, dated six years ago.
My Dear Rachel,
I know this isn’t what we planned. Olivia is pregnant. As a fated mate, I’m expected to go through with the mating ritual.
But I want you to know – if you’ll have me, I’ll cancel it all. Pregnant or not, fated mates or not, I choose you. I’ve always chosen
you.
Please say you’ll stay with me.
Forever yours,
Derek
The letter slipped from my numb fingers, landing among the scattered remnants of my son’s childhood. Among the memories of a life I thought was mine.
Love and Lies
Olivia’s POV:
My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I stared at the photos scattered across the floor. Derek and Rachel, young and in love. The evidence was right there in front of me, but my mind refused to accep
