Chapter 3 Three

Ava's fingers tightened around the seatbelt, the tension in her chest unbearable. She had built walls around her heart so high, so impenetrable, that even hearing the sincerity in Julian's voice felt like an assault on her resolve.

"I don't need your apologies, Julian," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet sharp as a knife. "What I need is for you to leave me alone. I've built my life without you, and I don't need any more of your mess."

He flinched at her words, but his eyes remained steady, unwavering. "I get it. You've been doing everything on your own. I've seen the bakery, Ava. Sweet Reverie-it's more than just a business to you, isn't it?"

Ava's breath hitched. The mention of her bakery, her pride and joy, hit a nerve. It was the one thing she'd poured herself into, the one thing she knew she could control, and the idea of Julian encroaching on it made her feel as if he were taking something from her-again.

"What do you want from me?" she demanded, unable to hold back the frustration rising in her voice. "You think you can just show up after all this time, swoop in, and make everything right? After you walked out on me, after you abandoned us?"

Julian's eyes darkened with guilt, but there was a fire there too, something fierce that she hadn't seen in him before. "I didn't know about Ethan, Ava," he said, his voice low. "If I had, if I'd known... I would've never left. I would've been there. But I didn't, and I can't change that."

Her heart stuttered in her chest at the mention of Ethan. The mere thought of him-her little boy, their son-sent a wave of emotions crashing over her, some of them unfamiliar. Pain. Regret. Fear. But mostly, anger.

"I had to raise him alone, Julian," she said, her voice trembling despite her attempt to hold it steady. "You don't get to come in here and pretend like you can fix everything now. It's too late."

Silence fell between them, thick and suffocating. Julian's gaze softened, and he leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. Not yet. All I'm asking for is a chance. A chance to be a part of Ethan's life, if you'll let me."

Ava's mind raced. Could she really let him back in? After everything? Was it fair to Ethan? To herself?

Her fingers dug into her palms as she fought to keep her emotions in check. "You don't know the first thing about being a father," she said quietly. "You don't get to come in now, after all this time, and expect things to just... happen. You have no idea what it's been like, Julian."

"I don't," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "But I want to learn. I want to try. I want to be there for him, for both of you. Please, Ava. Don't shut me out."

The vulnerability in his voice, the raw honesty, was something she had never expected from Julian. She had spent years imagining this moment, playing out every possible scenario in her mind, but this? This was not what she had expected.

Ava swallowed hard, torn between the hurt and the flicker of something else, something dangerous-hope.

"I'm not sure I can do this," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

"You don't have to decide right now," Julian said, his tone gentle but firm. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you, Ava. For as long as it takes."

He reached for her hand, and for a brief moment, she allowed it. His touch was warm, familiar, and despite everything, it felt like home. But it was too much. Too soon.

Ava pulled her hand away, her chest tightening. "I have to go. Ethan will be waiting for me."

Julian nodded, his gaze following her every movement. "I'll be here. Whenever you're ready."

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. Ava opened the car door and stepped out, her legs unsteady beneath her. She didn't look back as she walked toward the bakery, but her mind was a whirlwind.

As she rounded the corner to Sweet Reverie, her heart raced. The door was unlocked, and she pushed it open, her eyes scanning the quiet space. Claire had already arrived and was setting up the display cases with fresh pastries.

"Ava, you okay?" Claire asked, looking up from her work. "You look... like you've seen a ghost."

Ava forced a smile, trying to mask the storm inside her. "I'm fine. Just... had a conversation I wasn't expecting."

Claire raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more. Ava appreciated the silence, but her mind kept drifting back to Julian-his words, his touch, the way he made her feel. She couldn't deny that part of her wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that he could be the man he claimed to be now. But she had lived too many years alone, too many years fighting for everything she had.

Could she really let him in? Could she really trust him?

As she wiped down the counter, her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp ringing of her phone. She glanced at the screen to see a familiar number.

It was Harold Kent.

Ava hesitated for only a moment before answering.

"Hello, Harold," she said, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach.

"You're running out of time, Ava," Harold's voice sneered through the line. "If you don't come to terms with the rent increase, I'll be forced to take further action."

Ava's grip on the phone tightened, and she took a deep breath. "You'll have to take me to court, then. Because I'm not going anywhere."

Harold's laugh was cold. "We'll see about that, won't we?"

The call ended abruptly, leaving Ava staring at the screen. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn't just fighting for her bakery. She was fighting for her future-and for Ethan's.

But the question lingered: Could she survive this battle alone? Or would she have to make a choice between her past and her future?