Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 79: Chapter 79

"Mommy, where are we going?" Calvin asked when he saw her packing their bags.

She looked down at her son, meeting his innocent, wide-eyed stare.

"Mommy is going back to New York for work, and I’m taking you with me, sweetheart," she said. Back when Calvin was sick, she’d promised him that she wouldn’t leave him behind again.

Whenever she made a promise to her son, she stuck to it. She never wanted him to feel let down or resentful because she couldn’t keep her word.

If something was impossible, she just wouldn’t promise it in the first place. But if she said it, she did it.

Lane watched Calvin’s eyes light up with pure excitement. "Really, Mommy? You’re taking me?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, I am."

He stepped closer to her. "Will I get to see grandpa and grandma?"

A smile spread across Lane’s lips as she nodded again.

"Will I see Auntie Ava and Uncle Noqh, too?" he asked, talking about her friends Noah and Ava.

"Yes, Calvin."

"Yay!" The joy on his face felt like a warm hand touching her heart.

He was clearly pumped to finally see the people he usually only talked to through a phone screen.

"Mommy, can I bring my coloring book? I want to show it to grandpa and grandma," he said after a second.

"Of course you can."

"Okay! I’ll go get it!" He turned and bolted out of the room.

She went back to packing. She didn’t take everything since they’d eventually come back here, maybe once her father was fully recovered.

When she finished, she stepped out into the hall and saw Calvin clutching his coloring book to his chest.

"Mae?" she called out.

"Yes, Ma’am?"

"Are you ready?"

"Ready, Ma’am," Mae replied.

"Let’s move out," Lane said. She was bringing Mae along because she needed someone to watch Calvin while she was at the office.

She couldn’t exactly bring him to work. Ethan might see him, and she was nowhere near ready for a father-son meeting.

They weren’t going to stay at her parents’ place for long, either. Her plan was to head to her condo.

Mae grabbed the bags and headed out to the car first. Lane called for her son, and when he reached her, she held out her hand. He grabbed it instantly.

"Let’s go, Calvin."

Hand in hand, they walked out of the house.

"Thank you!" Calvin chirped to the driver when he opened the back door.

Lane lifted him into his seat before sliding in next to him. Mae hopped into the passenger seat, and they started the long trek to New York.

Lane kept checking on Calvin, but he eventually got bored with the drive and drifted off to sleep. She, on the other hand, couldn’t close her eyes.

Her mind was racing, thinking about the risks. Ethan’s social circle in New York was tiny. The odds of them bumping into each other were high. She just prayed they wouldn’t cross paths yet. She wasn’t ready, and she definitely hadn’t prepared Calvin for it.

Hours later, they finally hit the city limits. "Ma’am, are we going straight to the house?" the driver asked.

"Hold on a second," Lane said. She pulled her phone from her bag and called her mother.

She wanted to make sure Ethan wasn’t lurking around. During her three days in Richmond, her mother had mentioned that Ethan was constantly at the house.

He’d been waiting outside every morning to pick her up, just like before. Her mother had told him she wasn’t home, and while she didn’t say where Lane had gone, she knew Ethan probably had a good guess.

Once her mother confirmed that Ethan was gone, she told the driver to head to the house. As they pulled into the neighborhood, Calvin started to stir.

"Mommy?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah, honey?"

"Are we there yet?"

"Almost home."

"Oh," he said, sitting up straighter.

They pulled into the driveway and hopped out.

"Thank you so much for the drive," she told the driver. Then she turned to Mae. "Mae, go ahead and get some rest. I’ve got the guestroom all set up for you."

"Thanks, Ma’am," Mae said.

Lane felt a little tug on her hand. "Ready to go in?" she asked Calvin.

He nodded, and she led him inside. "Is this your house, Mommy?"

"It is."

"Where are grandma and grandpa?"

"Lane!"

They both turned at the sound of her mother’s voice. "Mom," Lane said. Her mother’s eyes dropped to Calvin, and a huge smile broke across her face.

"Calvin, my grandson!"

"Grandma!" Calvin let go of Lane’s hand and sprinted toward his grandmother.

Lane couldn’t help but grin, watching the pure joy on Calvin’s face as he hugged her. He’d clearly missed his grandparents like crazy. She stepped back and let them have their moment.

"Grandma, where’s Grandpa?" Calvin asked after a minute.

Her mother looked over at Lane and smiled. "Do you want to go see him?"

Calvin nodded eagerly. "I missed you guys so much!"

"Your grandpa is a little weak right now, honey. He might not be able to talk or hug you back the way I do."

"That’s okay, Grandma. I just want to see him."

Lane felt a surge of pride. Her son was so understanding for his age.

"Okay then. Let’s go see him."

Her mother took his hand and led him toward the bedroom. Lane followed close behind.

"Grandpa!" Calvin shouted as they walked in. He let go of his grandma’s hand and ran straight for the bed.

"Easy, Calvin!" Lane warned as he scrambled up to give his grandfather a hug.

"C—cal—vin..." her father managed to stutter out.

"I miss you and I love you, Grandpa," Calvin said, squeezing him tight.

Lane bit her lip, her eyes welling up as she saw tears stream down her father’s face. Even though he was struggling, his face was glowing with happiness.

"Don’t cry, Grandpa. It makes Calvin’s heart hurt," the boy said, pointing to his chest.

He used his tiny hand to wipe the tears from his grandfather’s eyes.

"Don’t cry. I’m always praying to God that you’ll get better."

A moment later, a knock at the door broke the silence. One of the house helpers peeked in.

"Excuse me, Ma’am Lane. There are visitors out front."

"Who are they?" her mother asked.

"It’s Sir Ethan and Ma’am Grace."

Lane’s eyes went wide, and her heart slammed against her ribs.

Lane was paralyzed. Her mind went totally blank, and she couldn’t think straight the second she heard their visitor’s name.

Even without a mirror, she knew panic was written all over her face. She was terrified Ethan might see Calvin. Like she’d said, she wasn’t even close to ready for a father-son meeting.

"Lane."

She snapped out of it and looked at her mom, who was watching her closely. Her mom gave her a small, reassuring smile, clearly reading her mind.

"You two head to your room. I’ll take care of the guests," her mom said.

"T-thank you, Mom," Lane whispered, feeling a wave of relief.

She turned to her son. "Calvin, sweetheart, come on. Let’s go to the room for a bit."

"Why, Mommy?" he asked, looking up at her.

"It’s just bedtime. Say goodnight to Grandpa," she added.

"Okay, Mommy." He looked at his grandfather. "Goodnight, Grandpa. I’ll be back tomorrow to show you my coloring book."

Her dad nodded weakly and reached his hands out. Lane understood the gesture, picking Calvin up so he could give one last hug. He immediately clung to her shoulder.

"We’re heading in now," she told her parents.

"Bye-bye, Grandpa! Bye, Grandma!" Calvin called out.

Lane practically hurried out of the room, clutching Calvin tight.

Once they were safely behind her bedroom door, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Calvin asked. "You look like you saw a ghost." Even a kid could see the fear in her eyes.

"I’m fine, Calvin," she promised. She checked her watch. "It’s bedtime, but let’s get you a quick bath first."

They made it a fast one. When they came out, she looked for the bag she’d asked a helper to bring up. She found it, opened it up, and got him dressed.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I have some milk?"

"Of course."

She started looking for the other bag with his supplies, but she couldn’t find it anywhere. She slapped her forehead when she realized she’d left it in the car.

She couldn’t go out there because Ethan might see her. But then she realized that if she went out alone, without Calvin, it would be fine.

Ethan wouldn’t suspect a thing.

She took a deep breath.

"Calvin, I’ll be right back. I left your milk in the car," she said. "Promise me you won’t leave this room, okay? Stay right here until I get back."

"Promise, Mommy," Calvin said, raising his hand like he was taking an oath.

Smiling, Lane ruffled his hair and stepped out.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!