Chapter 3: The Secret Olivia Never Told
Six months later, John finally asked.
"What happened to Noah's father?"
Olivia became very still.
"I thought you'd never ask."
She stared across Lake Washington.
"We dated in college."
"He left?"
"He disappeared."
She took a slow breath.
"I found out I was pregnant two weeks after he accepted a job overseas."
"He blocked my number."
"Changed apartments."
"His family said they didn't know where he was."
John remained silent.
"I stopped looking."
She smiled sadly.
"I figured if a man wanted to know his son... he would."
John reached for her hand.
He didn't offer advice.
He didn't criticize a man he had never met.
He simply held her fingers.
That quiet respect broke something inside Olivia.
She cried for the first time in front of him.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Just years of exhaustion finally finding somewhere safe to land.
That evening, after Noah had fallen asleep, John stood outside her apartment.
"I love you."
Olivia froze.
"So does Noah."
John nodded.
"I know."
"But I'm asking because of you."
May you like
Tears filled her eyes again.
"I love you too."
