Divorced Ex-Luna Returns With Triplets

Maurene'S POV

I froze, shock running through me in great waves. As if on instincts, I jerked my hands out of his grip and his eyes went wide open, fully awake and my eyes twitched in their sockets as he sat up. "Mommy," His voice called and I flinched at it. I did not have a response for him.

"Kai, you should sleep. You are going to school tomorrow and -"

"Our birthday is coming, mommy. I want a daddy for my birthday gift." He cut in, his eyes glinting fully at me and my heart broke at the longing in his eyes for a dad.

"Kai, you know asking for a daddy is..." I swallowed hard. I hated refusing them. Especially things they ask of me. But a daddy... I don't think I would be able to give them that anytime soon. "Today at the park, everyone played with their daddies and we did not have one to play with us." His mouth pulled a sad pout as he dropped his head.

Tears blurred my vision but I blinked them back. "What about Uncle Liam? He was there, right?"

"Uncle Liam is not my daddy, or is he?" He asked, lifting his head to me, and I slowly shook my head.

Why couldn't I be heartless and tell them the father they so much wanted forsook them? Why? Why? Why did Nathaniel have to still have this huge effect on me and my kids? "Kai, I cannot-"

"Promise me, mommy. I will never ask anything from you again. I want my daddy, mommy." He tugged at my dress and I slowly pulled away from him.

"Kai, I know you do not understand now but when you grow up, you will. I am sorry but I cannot give you a daddy anytime soon." I told him.

If there was something I tried to be with my kids, it was being truthful. They say that the truth is bitter. I wanted to feed them with that bitter truth so when they got outside, no one would be able to hurt them with words. His hands slowly dropped from my dress and he nodded gently. "Goodnight, Mommy." He turned around and laid back. I stood there, longing to console him but I decided against it and then walked out of his room.

I walked down the stairs and saw Liam sipping some juice. My palms turned sweaty as I approached him. Remembering how incomplete our discussion was this evening did nothing to ease my anxiety.

I swallowed hard, trying to offer him a smile but failed. "It is late already. You can stay over." I told him.

He slowly nodded. "I would like to but I have to attend to some things. Anyways, thank you." He said, adding a smile.

I nodded, avoiding his gaze.

"Maurene," His voice held a lot of restraint and I was forced to look at him... my best friend.

"Yes."

"What are you going to do? He almost found out today." He said, putting my innermost fear into words.

I said nothing.

He dropped the glass of juice in hand and walked close to me, closing the proximity and lifting my chin to look into his face. "Do you trust me, Maurene? He asked, staring into my eyes and for the first time, after what happened today, I did not know what to say. I searched his eyes for sincerity. For fear. For anything. Anything is that strong enough for me to hold onto to trust.

I slowly nodded. "Yes, I do," I told him.

He was the only one I could trust for now, even though the trust was starting to shake. I didn't like people lying to me and I was starting to feel that Liam was lying to me.

"Miss Maurene," Miss Diana's voice interrupted us and I jerked away from Liam, accidentally hitting my elbows against the counter. Liam moved close to help me but I moved away from him and turned to Miss Diana.

"Yes," I answered. Her eyes glanced between Liam and me. I did not know what was on her mind at the moment.

"Will Mr. Liam be going home tonight?" She asked.

Oh, yes. She was in charge of locking the doors.

I glanced at Liam then back at her, biting my lips, I replied. "No."

Another look flashed on her face before she nodded and walked to her room, leaving me with Liam.

"Maybe I should leave, huh? I will respect you, Maurene." Liam mumbled.

I shook my head. "I will have the guest room cleaned up for you." With that, I walked away before he could say something else.

After I was done cleaning the room, I went back to tell him but he was already asleep on the couch. I contemplated waking him up or leaving him. I resolved to get a blanket and used it to cover him. I stared at his sleeping figure and shut out any thoughts from entering my head. I did not want to think about anything.

"Thank you, Liam. For today." I said with all sincerity.

If only he knew what he did today. I closed my eyes, released a deep breath, and rose to my feet. I also need to retire for the night. I have had a long day.

I saw his hand move before he caught mine. "You don't need to thank me, Maurene. I should thank you instead." He muttered, his hand dropping a while after.

I said nothing and headed up the stairs. It was high time I slept. Lying on my bed with my back flat and my face up, I stared at the blank ceiling and Nathaniel 's eyes kept appearing in my vision. His mocking smirk and the way he seemed affected by Liam holding me. I did not want myself to overthink those actions. I was treading dangerous areas and I was confused. I had said that I would handle everything by myself but I was starting to be scared. For myself and mostly for my kids.

Meeting Nathaniel again was never part of my plan.

How long will I be able to keep the facade that I was not his Maurene?

Does he even believe me?