The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 53

Chapter47:Reading.To.Tom

Caleb pov

“Do you want to rest for a bit?” Maya suggested, moving closer.

“Can Caleb read me the penguin book? Tom asked, already grabbing it. “Please?”

+25 Points

I looked at Bella, asking permission without words. She hesitated for a long moment, then gave a small nod.

“I’d love to read to you,” I said.

Tom climbed onto the couch and patted the spot next to him. “Sit here so I can see the pictures.”

I sat down carefully, hyperaware of his small body so close to mine. He leaned against my arm without hesitation, completely trusting, and opened the book to the first page.

“This one,” he said, pointing to an emperor penguin. “Start with this one.”

I started reading, my voice rough at first but steadying as I went. Tom interrupted constantly with questions and observations, his excitement infectious. He knew an impressive amount about penguins for a three-year-old, clearly the result of dedicated teaching from Bella.

Halfway through the book, Tom shifted closer, his head resting against my shoulder. My breath caught, and I saw Bella’s hand fly to her mouth. Maya put a gentle hand on Bella’s arm, steadying her.

“You smell nice,” Tom murmured sleepily. “Like Mommy’s fancy coffee.”

“Thank you,” I managed, not daring to move.

“Mommy says smelling nice is important,” Tom continued, his eyes drooping. “It means you take care of yourself.”

“Your mommy is very smart,” I said quietly.

“The smartest,” Tom agreed. “She knows everything. Even about penguins.”

By the time I finished the book, Tom was asleep, his small body warm against mine and his breathing deep and even. I sat frozen, terrified to move and wake him, desperate to memorize every second of this

moment.

“I should take him,” Bella said quietly, moving toward us. “He needs his proper nap.”

“Just a few more minutes?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Please?”

Bella looked at me, really looked at me, and I saw something in her expression shift. Not forgiveness, but maybe the beginning of understanding.”Five minutes,” she said. “Then I’m taking him upstairs.”

Those five minutes were the most precious of my life. I sat perfectly still while my son slept against me, his little hand curled loosely around my shirt. I wanted to touch his hair, to stroke his back, to hold him properly, but I didn’t dare. This wasn’t my right yet. I hadn’t earned it.

But maybe, someday, I would.

m

<Chapter 47 Reading To Tom

+25 Points

When the time was up, Bella came over and gently lifted Tom into her arms. He stirred slightly, mumbling something about penguins, but didn’t wake.

“He liked you,” Maya said quietly, starting to pack up the toys. “That’s not nothing.”

“Can I come back?” I asked Bella, desperate. “Can I see him again?”

She looked down at Tom’s sleeping face, then back at me. “Tuesday. Same time but for one hour.”

“Thank you,” I breathed. “Bella, thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she said, but her voice was softer than before. “You’ve got a long way to go before I trust you with him.”

“I know.” I stood up, my legs stiff from sitting so still. “But I’m ready to walk every step of that road. However long it takes.”

Bella carried Tom toward the door, then paused and looked back at me. “He asked me last night why he doesn’t stay with his daddy like other kids.”

The words gutted me. “What did you tell him?”

“That someday he would,” she said quietly. “I just hope I’m not making a mistake.”

She left before I could respond, Maya following with the toys. I stood alone in the family lounge, my shirt still warm from where Tom had been sleeping, and felt tears sliding down my face.

My son had fallen asleep on me. He’d called me nice. He’d wanted me to read to him. It was more than I deserved and not nearly enough.

I pulled out my phone and texted Bella: Thank you for today. Thank you for giving me a chance. I won’t

waste it.

Her response came five minutes later: He says you’re not mean. Some of Mommy’s other friends are mean sometimes.

I stared at the message, confused, until I realized she was quoting Tom. Then I laughed, a wet sound that

was half sob.

My son had defended me to his mother.

It was a start.

I left the hotel penthouse and sat in my car for twenty minutes, unable to drive yet. My hands were shaking and my chest felt too tight and I couldn’t stop seeing Tom’s face, couldn’t stop hearing his voice, couldn’t stop feeling the weight of him sleeping against me.

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