The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 51

Chapter 45: Shopping for my son

Caleb pov

25 Points

“I understand.” I felt something loosen in my chest, hope flooding in where there’d been only guilt. “Thank you, Bella. You won’t regret this.

“I already regret it,” she said, but there was less bite in her voice. “But Maya’s right. Tom deserves to know his father. And despite everything, despite all the reasons I have to hate you, I have to at least let you try.”

“When can I see him?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.

“Saturday,” Bella said. “Two PM, hotel lobby. One hour, Maya supervised. You bring age-appropriate activities, nothing expensive or flashy. And Caleb? If you make him cry, if you upset him in any way, this ends before it begins.”

“I won’t let you down,” I promised.

“You already did,” she said, standing up and gathering her things. “Now you get to spend however long it takes proving you won’t do it again.”

She walked out without another word, Jennifer following with a stack of documents for me to sign. James looked at me with something between admiration and concern.

“You just gave her the power to destroy your parental rights,” he said. “Do you understand what you’ve done?”

“I gave her the power to protect our son,” I corrected. “That’s what a father does.”

I signed every document, initiated every clause, agreed to every condition Bella had demanded. And when it was done, when I walked out of that conference room, I felt lighter than I had in years. Saturday was two days away.

Two days until I met my son as his father. Two days to prepare for the most important meeting of my life.

I pulled out my phone and texted my assistant. Clear my schedule Saturday. All day. And find me every book on parenting three-year-olds that exists. I need them by tonight.

Then I did something I hadn’t done in years.

I went to a toy store.

The place was overwhelming, bright colors and noise and children everywhere. I stood in the entrance like an idiot, having no idea where to start.

“Can I help you, sir?” A young employee approached with a friendly smile.

“I need age-appropriate toys for a three-year-old boy,” I said. “He likes dinosaurs and penguins, what would you recommend?”

“Oh, that’s easy!” She led me through the store, pulling items off shelves with practiced ease. “How about this dinosaur puzzle? Or these penguin figurines? Oh, and this book about arctic animals is perfect for his age!”

13

<Chapter 45-Shopping for my son

+25 Points

Lended up buying everything she suggested and more. Puzzles, books, figurines, art supplies, building blocks. By the time I left, I had six bags full of toys and a credit card receipt that made the cashier’s eyes widen.

But I didn’t care about the cost. For the first time in years, I was preparing to officially meet my son. And I was going to make damn sure I didn’t waste this chance.

That night, I sat in my penthouse surrounded by parenting books and toys, reading everything I could about child development and age-appropriate activities. My assistant had sent over a stack of resources so high it covered my coffee table.

How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen

The Whole-Brain Child

Parenting from the Inside Out

I read them all, taking notes like I was preparing for the most important business negotiation of Because in a way, I was. Except the stakes weren’t money or power.

They were my son. My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

my life.

This is Maya. I’m supervising Saturday’s visit. If you hurt that boy, forget what Bella will do. You’ll answer to me first. Don’t be late.

I smiled despite the threat and typed back: I won’t let either of you down.

Her response came immediately: Good. Because Tom is the sweetest kid I know. And he deserves a father who sees that.

I stared at the message for a long time, then set down my phone and picked up a photo I’d secretly taken at the aquarium. Tom’s face lit up with joy as he looked at the penguins, his grey eyes so much like mine.

“I see it,” I whispered to the photo. “I see how special you are. And I’m going to spend every day proving I’m worthy of being your dad.”

Saturday couldn’t come fast enough.I arrived at the hotel thirty minutes early, unable to stay away any longer. The bags of toys and books sat in my car, carefully chosen and wrapped, but suddenly they felt inadequate. What if Tom didn’t like dinosaurs today? What if I’d chosen wrong? What if he took one look at me and started crying?

I paced the lobby like a caged animal, checking my watch every thirty seconds. Other guests gave me strange looks, this tall man in expensive casual wear looking like he might be sick. I probably did look sick, my palms sweating and my heart racing faster than it had before any business deal.

“Mr. Black?” A woman’s voice made me spin around.

Maya stood there with her arms crossed, her dark eyes assessing me with the intensity of a protective older sister. She was petite but fierce, and I could see immediately why Bella trusted her.

“Dr. Maya,” I said, offering my hand. “Thank you for doing this.”

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نيا

<Chapter 45 Shopping for my son

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