Page 92 of Broken Destiny

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words never came.

Because deep down, I already knew the truth.

No matter how many times I tried to push Caleb away, he kept finding his way back into my life.

Again and again.

And a small part of me had stopped fighting it.

Soon after, I left the restaurant, and without meaning to, I found myself driving to the cemetery.

I had brought the children and the dogs to visit Cole’s grave on the morning of Lucas’s birthday.

Lucas carefully placed the flowers down before whispering, “It’s my birthday, Dad. I wish you were here.”

The moment his voice cracked, Milo let out a soft whimper beside him while Oreo pressed against Lucas’s leg as though trying to comfort him.

My throat constricted painfully at the sight.

I pulled both Lucas and Emma into my arms before we said a quiet prayer for Cole, Eva, and Chloe together.

Afterward, the rest of the day became a blur of party preparations. Karl took the children out while Elle and I finished decorating, and later Jack and Maureen arrived with the Superman cake I had ordered. By mid-afternoon, the backyard had filled with children from Lucas’s school and the neighbourhood.

The surprise worked perfectly.

The look on Lucas’s face when Karl brought him home, and he saw the decorations, gifts, and waiting friends lit up the entire house.

Karena called shortly after to wish him a happy birthday. She apologized for missing the party because she was feeling unwell, and I told her not to worry, wished her a quick recovery, and made a mental note to send some cake over later.

Reaching the cemetery now, I stepped out of the car and headed toward Cole’s grave.

“He bought gifts even for Emma… his daughter,” I whispered as I stood in front of his grave.

I had found myself watching Caleb at the party while he played with the children and helped Karl hand out party favours, fitting into the chaos of the backyard far too naturally.

When he had walked to his car, turned and waved, I lifted my hand automatically before quickly forcing myself to look unaffected when Elle and Karl glanced my way.

“We’re getting along,” I whispered. “Trying to pretend our history no longer matters.”

Tears blurred my vision.

“I still miss you every day. I’m not ready to let you go. And now Caleb is back, and I don’t know what to do with that.”

I closed my eyes and sobbed.

Then, through the wind, I heard it.

“Let go.”

My eyes flew open, and I looked around quickly, but no one was there.

“Let go,” the voice whispered again, barely louder than the breeze.

A warmth spread through my body, starting in my chest and moving outward into my arms and legs. The tightness that had gripped me for so long began to loosen, as if invisible hands were lifting the weight from my shoulders.

It felt like an embrace.

My breathing steadied, and my heart settled into a calm rhythm.