Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 105: Chapter 105

"MOMMY!"

A smile broke across Lane’s lips when she heard Calvin calling her as he burst out of his classroom. The second she saw him running, she rushed to meet him.

"Mommy," Calvin said, hugging her leg tight the moment he reached her. He looked up, a huge grin on his face.

"Mommy, look!" He held out his hand to show her.

"Teacher gave me stars because I was a very good boy today."

She looked down and saw three stars stamped on his hand.

"You’re amazing, sweetie," she praised him happily.

"Thank you, Mommy," Calvin chirped. "I’m gonna show Uncle Ethan!"

Calvin started toward Ethan but froze when he heard Tyler’s voice.

"Daddy!"

Lane watched her son go quiet as Tyler ran up to Ethan. She saw the look on Calvin’s face when Ethan scooped Tyler up after the boy asked to be carried.

They had dropped the boys off at their separate classrooms earlier that morning and left so the kids could get used to the environment and focus.

They’d gone straight to the office to work, but they’d returned together for pickup. Ethan wasn’t just there for Calvin; he was there for Tyler, too.

Honestly, Lane had been meaning to talk to Ethan about this whole "two-school" dynamic.

She couldn’t shake the memory of the teacher’s face from that morning when she realized Tyler was Ethan’s son, even though Calvin looked exactly like him.

They couldn’t exactly come out with the truth yet. She wanted to protect the boys from any drama or bullying at school.

If the teacher was suspicious, other parents would be too, and Lane didn’t want their lives, especially her son’s, to become the latest gossip.

Instead of going over to Ethan, Calvin turned back to her and grabbed her hand.

Looking down at him, Lane felt a sharp pang in her chest at the sadness lingering in his eyes.

She took a deep breath and knelt down to get on his level. "Calvin?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want some chicken and spaghetti? We’re going out to celebrate your stars," she said.

She saw the sparkle return to his eyes instantly. "Really, Mommy?"

She nodded. "I want fries and ice cream too, Mommy," he added.

"Anything you want, baby. It’s on me," she promised.

"Thank you, Mommy!" He leaned in and kissed her cheek. As she stood back up, she was surprised to find Ethan standing right there, watching them.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Uncle Daddy, Mommy and I are going out to eat! She’s treating me to spaghetti, chicken, fries, and ice cream," Calvin said, rattling off his wishlist.

"Oh," Ethan said, pausing. "Can I come?"

Instead of answering, Lane glanced at Tyler, who was still in Ethan’s arms.

Like she’d told herself before, the kid wasn’t to blame for any of this mess. But right now, she just wanted it to be her and Calvin.

If Ethan came, Tyler came. And if Tyler was there, Calvin wouldn’t enjoy himself because he’d be too busy being sad while watching Ethan take care of Tyler. She could see that hurt in his eyes even now.

With everything going on, how was she supposed to prepare her son to meet his real father? It felt like the longer they waited, the harder it was becoming.

Lane sighed.

"Can it... can it just be me and Calvin this time?" she asked Ethan. She saw the flash of pain in his eyes. The smile he was trying to hold onto completely vanished.

She looked at her son, shocked when he actually backed her up. Usually, he was obsessed with being around Ethan.

"Yeah, Uncle Daddy. It’s just gonna be a Mommy and me date," Calvin said.

Ethan’s lips parted as if he wanted to argue. She could see the reluctance in his gaze. He clearly didn’t want to be left out.

"Can I at least drop you guys off?" he asked after a moment.

Lane was about to say yes when Tyler piped up. "Daddy, I want to go home. I’m tired, I want to rest."

"Tyler, I’m just gonna drop them—"

"It’s fine," Lane interrupted. "We’ll just grab a taxi, Ethan. Take Tyler home so he can get some sleep."

"But—"

"Daddy, I want to go home now," Tyler whined.

"Go ahead, Ethan," she urged.

He took a long, deep breath. "Okay," he said. Lane couldn’t explain why, but even though this was what she wanted, her heart felt a twinge of guilt.

"But can you tell me exactly where you’re going?"

She told him the spot, and Ethan walked them out to the curb. He even flagged down a taxi and opened the door for them. Before closing it, he leaned toward the driver.

"Drive safe," he told the man firmly.

Calvin hugged her as the taxi pulled away. Lane couldn’t help but look out the back window. Ethan was still standing there, watching them until they turned the corner.

A few minutes later, her phone started ringing. She dug it out of her bag and saw Noah’s name on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Lane," Noah said.

"Hey, what’s up?"

"I’m actually free today. I was hoping I could take you out to lunch," he said.

"Calvin and I are actually on our way to a fast-food place right now,

Noah. I’m treating him because he killed it at school today," she told him.

"Oh, perfect timing! Where are you guys headed?"

She gave him the address. "Alright, Lane. I’ll meet you there," he said before hanging up.

"Mommy, was that Uncle Noah?" Calvin asked, looking up at her.

"Yeah. He said he’s gonna join us. Is that okay with you?"

"That’s fine, Mommy!" Calvin chirped.

Lane just smiled and pulled him closer.

________

When Ethan and Tyler arrived at Olivia’s condo, he immediately hit the doorbell. He waited a few minutes before the door finally swung open.

Ethan couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow when he saw Olivia, especially given what she was wearing.

It looked like she’d just hopped out of the shower, with nothing but a towel wrapped around her.

"Ethan," she said sweetly, cooing his name.

"I’m sorry. I was just finishing up in the shower when I heard the bell."

"I expect you to dress properly next time, Olivia," he told her flatly.

He noticed a smirk spread across her lips.

"Why? Are you jealous that other guys might see me like this?" she asked, clearly misreading the room.

His expression didn’t budge. "No," he said.

"I couldn’t care less, Olivia. I’m telling you to dress properly because of Tyler."

The smile vanished from her face instantly. He didn’t wait for a comeback and looked down at Tyler instead.

"Go on inside, Tyler."

"Daddy, come in for a bit. Let’s play," Tyler pleaded.

Ethan raised an eyebrow again. "I thought you were exhausted and wanted to rest?"

Earlier, he’d tried to get Tyler to come along with Lane and Calvin, but the boy had refused, claiming he was too tired and just wanted to go home.

Ethan had only wanted to tag along to make sure his wife and son got there safe, and once he knew their location, he planned to head over the second he dropped Tyler off.

In truth, Ethan knew exactly why Lane didn’t want him coming along.

It was because of Tyler. He couldn’t ignore the cloud of sadness that settled over them whenever Tyler was around. But his hands were tied.

He couldn’t just cast Tyler aside. The boy was his son too. He was doing his best to show both boys that he loved them equally.

"Mommy said—"

"Tyler, why don’t you head inside?" Olivia interrupted, cutting the boy off.

"But Mommy—"

"Go on, Tyler. Get inside!" she snapped. Tyler had no choice but to obey.

"Come in, Ethan. I’ll whip up some snacks," Olivia invited a moment later.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he declined.

"I’ve gotta get moving." He turned to leave before she could say another word. He was dying to catch up with his family. But he hadn’t even taken a single step when Olivia spoke up, stopping him in his tracks.

"Are you going back to Lane?" she asked, her voice dripping with jealousy.

He turned back to her. He could see the genuine pain in her eyes as she looked at him.

"Are you going to see Lane and that kid?"

"Yes," he replied, his voice dead serious.

The sadness in her gaze deepened.

"What about me, Ethan? What about Tyler and me? Don’t we matter to you at all?"

"I love Tyler, Olivia. He’s my son. But I’m sorry, my feelings for you just aren’t there anymore," he told her.

"You still love me, Ethan. I can feel it right here," she said, pressing a hand to her heart.

"I’m sorry, Olivia. I’ve fallen out of love.

Things have changed. Lane is the one I love now, and she’s the only one I’m ever going to love for the rest of my life," he said. He’d told her this a thousand times, but it never seemed to stick.

"What about Tyler? We can’t give him a real, whole family," she argued.

He took a deep breath.

"Tyler will understand if we can’t give him a traditional family, Olivia. All I can give him is my time and my love. But a complete family? I’m sorry, I just can’t do that."

He sighed.

"I’m married to Lane, and I have zero intention of ever leaving her. I’m going to be her husband for the rest of my life," he added.

He turned to walk away again, but he stopped when he felt Olivia throw her arms around him from behind.

He knit his brows together, annoyed.

"I love you, Ethan," she whispered.

"I know you’re just confused. I know I’m still the one. You loved me long before Lane ever came along, so I don’t believe for a second that you’ve just forgotten how you feel. Just give me a chance. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay in your life, and we can finally finish everything we planned before she got in the way."

Ethan closed his eyes for a second. He reached back, grabbing Olivia’s hands to pry them off his waist.

She didn’t make it easy, tightening her grip, so he had to use a bit of force to break free. Once he finally got her off him, he turned to face her, his expression hard.

"I told you, Olivia. My feelings shifted. I love Lane with everything I’ve got, and that’s never going to change," he said.

"And look, I don’t want to be an asshole because we do have a history. But all those plans we made? I want to do those things with Lane now. I want to build a family with her. So, move on, Olivia. Just focus on being there for Tyler."

"But Lane doesn’t even love you, Ethan!"

Olivia spat, still refusing to back down.

"Lane has been in love with me since the start, Olivia," he shot back.

"Just so you know, we’ve talked and we’re on great terms now. I’m actually planning on marrying her all over again."

When he mentioned the wedding plans, he caught a strange glint in her eyes. It was something sharp and cold. But it might have just been his imagination, because a second later, it was gone.

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