The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 54

Chapter 48: A Child’s Question

Caleb POV

Tuesday came faster than expected and slower than I wanted. I’d spent the past three days reading parenting books until my eyes burned, researching child psychology, and planning activities that would make Tom smile the way he had during our first visit.

I arrived at the hotel precisely at two PM, carrying a new bag of carefully selected items. This time, no overwhelming piles of toys, just a few things I thought he’d genuinely enjoy. A book about ocean animals, some art supplies, and a small stuffed dinosaur to keep his penguin company.

Maya was waiting in the family lounge again, but her expression was different this time, less hostile, more cautiously optimistic.

“He’s been asking about you,” she said as I approached. “Every day since Saturday. ‘When is Caleb coming back? Can Caleb read me more books? Does Caleb like dinosaurs too?”

The words hit me square in the chest. “He asked about me?”

“Constantly,” Maya said, and I saw the hint of a smile. “Bella’s been going crazy trying to distract him. You made an impression, Mr. Black.”

“Caleb,” I corrected automatically. “Please, just Caleb.”

“Caleb!” Tom’s voice rang out, and suddenly he was running across the lounge, his grey eyes bright with excitement. “You came back!”

Every instinct screamed at me to pick him up, to swing him around, to hold my son properly. But I remembered the rules, the boundaries, the fact that I had no right to that kind of casual affection yet.

So I dropped to one knee instead, bringing myself to his level. “Of course I came back. I promised, didn’t

1?”

“Uh-huh.” Tom stopped right in front of me, so close I could see the crayon marks on his shirt. “Mommy said you might be too busy. But you’re not too busy!”

“I’m never too busy for you,” I said, and meant it with everything in me.

Г

Tom tilted his head, studying me with an intensity that reminded me of Bella. “Why do you look sad sometimes? Even when you smile, your eyes look sad.”

The observation from a three-year-old nearly undid me. “That’s very smart of you to notice. I am sad sometimes.”

“Why?” Tom stepped even closer, his small hand reaching out to touch my tie. “Did something bad happen?”

“Yes,” I said honestly, because lying to him felt wrong. “Something very bad happened a long time ago. I made very bad mistakes, and I hurt someone I care about very much.”

Tom’s eyes went wide. “Did you say sorry?”

<Chapter 48 Child’s Question

+25 Points

The simple question, asked with such innocent wisdom, made my throat close up. “I’m trying to, but your mommy won’t listen.”

“Mommy doesn’t listen sometimes,” Tom said sagely, nodding like he understood completely. “Especially when she’s mad. You have to say sorry lots and lots of times. And maybe give her flowers. She likes flowers.”

“That’s good advice,” I managed, fighting back the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. Tom.”

“Thank you,

“You’re welcome!” Tom’s smile was bright and uncomplicated. “Can we do art today? I’m really good at drawing.”

“I’d love to see your art,” I said, standing slowly. “I brought some special markers, the kind that smell like fruit.”

“Smell like fruit?” Tom’s eyes went huge. “That’s so cool! Can I smell them?”

For the next forty minutes, Tom and I sat at the low table while he drew elaborate pictures of penguins and dinosaurs having adventures. He narrated every detail, explaining the plot of his drawings with the seriousness of a director describing his masterpiece.

“This penguin is named Mr. Waddles,” Tom explained, carefully coloring in a purple penguin. “And this dinosaur is his best friend, Chompy. They go on adventures together and save people from bad guys.”

“What kind of bad guys?” I asked, genuinely curious about how his mind worked.

‘The kind that are mean to people,” Tom said matter-of-factly. “Like people who don’t share or who say mean things. Mr..Waddles and Chompy teach them to be nice.”

‘That sounds like very important work,” I said, watching him concentrate on his drawing.

‘The most important,” Tom agreed. He looked up at me suddenly, marker still in hand. “Are you a good guy or a bad guy?”

The question froze me. How did I answer that honestly without scaring him?

‘I used to be a bad guy,” I said carefully. “But I’m trying very hard to be a good guy now.”

Tom considered this, his little face serious. “Mommy says everyone makes mistakes. She says what matters is if you try to be better.”

“Your mommy is very wise,” I said, my voice rough.

“She’s the best,” Tom said simply, going back to his drawing. “She takes care of me and reads me stories and makes the best pancakes. Do you know how to make pancakes?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I could learn.”

“You should learn,” Tom said earnestly. “Pancakes are very important.”

I watched him color, this perfect little boy who saw the world in such simple terms. Good guys and bad guys, pancakes and art, penguins and dinosaurs. He had no idea how complicated everything was, how much pain existed between his parents, how close I’d come to never knowing him at all.

23

Chapter 48 A Child’s Question

+25 Points

“Galeh?” Tom set down his marker and looked at me with those grey eyes that mirrored mine. “Can I ask you something?

“Anything,” I said.

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