Ryan parked outside the school, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. He glanced at the clock again, restless. This outing had to work. It had to prove he could still be the dad his kids needed.
Damien and Debby finally appeared, backpacks slung over their shoulders. Damien walked ahead, avoiding Ryan’s gaze. Debby hung back, clutching Bunny tight.
“Ready for some fun?” Ryan asked, forcing a smile.
Debby nodded cautiously. Damien muttered, “Let’s just go.”
At the science museum, Ryan bought tickets for the most interactive exhibit. He pointed out glowing constellations in the planetarium, hoping to spark their interest.
Debby warmed slightly, tracing her finger over the star maps. “Look, Daddy! That’s Orion’s Belt!”
Ryan grinned. “You’re a natural, Deb.”
Damien lingered behind, scrolling his phone. “Put that down,” Ryan said sharply.
“Why?” Damien shot back. “It’s not like you care.”
Ryan’s chest tightened. “Of course, I care. I’m here, aren’t I?”
Debby tugged on his sleeve. “Daddy, why can’t you just be happy like other dads?”
The question landed like a punch. Ryan crouched beside her. “I am happy, sweetheart. I’m happy when I’m with you.”
“No, you’re not,” she said simply.
Damien stepped closer, eyes hard. “She’s right. You don’t want to be here. You’d rather be with Caleb and Brenda.”
“That’s not true!” Ryan protested.
“Then why did you leave us?” Damien’s voice cracked.
Ryan froze. No words came. The weight of his past mistakes bore down like a stone.
***
Across the city, Amelia was stepping into a world far removed from her everyday chaos. Hale’s retreat was everything he promised: elegant, serene, and intoxicatingly free of her usual worries.
They stood on a lakeside terrace as staff handed them flutes of champagne. “To a weekend of no distractions,” Hale said, his voice warm.
Amelia sipped her drink, the tension in her shoulders slowly melting. “It’s beautiful here,” she admitted.
“Beautiful places suit beautiful people,” Hale replied smoothly, his eyes lingering on hers.
Dinner was a private affair under string lights, the meal decadent, the conversation light. Hale leaned across the table. “You’ve been through so much. Let someone else take care of you for a change.”
Amelia’s laugh was soft, tinged with unease. “I’m not used to this kind of attention.”
“Maybe it’s time you were,” Hale said.
Later, they walked along the lake, the moonlight casting long shadows. Hale brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You deserve someone who sees all of you, Amelia.”
She looked away, unsure how to respond. He leaned in, pausing just close enough to let her decide. After a long moment, she stepped back.
***
That night, Ryan sat in his darkened living room, scrolling aimlessly through his phone. His thumb paused on a photo: Amelia and Hale at the retreat. She stood on a sleek boat, smiling, champagne in hand.
Ryan’s jaw clenched. She looked radiant, but he couldn’t shake the unease in her eyes. He drained his whiskey, setting the glass down hard.
“Is this what I pushed her to?” he muttered aloud. He stared at the screen again, the ache in his chest sharpening.