Chapter 7

SIENNA’S POV

My heart jumped when Zoe yelled, “Mom!” Her voice cut through the kitchen like a knife. I slid off the counter, my feet hitting the cold floor, and pushed Daniel away, my hands shaking. His warmth lingered on my skin, his breath still hot where he’d almost kissed me.

Zoe stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, her backpack hanging off one shoulder. Leo was behind her, his brows up, a small grin on his face.

My stomach knotted.

My kids weren’t supposed to see this—me with a guy half my age, my tank top crooked, his shirt half-open.

What kind of mom was I, getting caught like this?

“Why are you here?” I blurted, fixing my tank top, my voice wobbly.

My face burned, Evan’s mean words; you’re too old, not enough mixing with fear that my kids would hate me.

Leo dropped his bag, his grin soft but his eyes sharp, checking on me. “We wanted to surprise you, Mom. Looks like you surprised us.” His voice was easy, teasing, but kind, like he wanted to keep things light.

Zoe’s jaw tightened, her glare stabbing me. “Really, Mom? Dad leaves you for a younger girl, and you’re messing with a kid?” Her voice broke, full of hurt, her eyes wet like she was losing me to some stranger.

My chest hurt, shame washing over me. I turned to Daniel, his brown eyes steady but sad, like he wanted to stay and fight. I couldn’t let him.

“Go,” I ordered, pushing his chest, my fingers brushing his skin, making my body tingle. Damn, I wanted him, but this was wrong.

“Sienna, I can stay,” he whispered, his voice soft, almost begging, his hand touching mine.

“No. Get out.” I pushed harder, my voice cracking, and he stepped back, jaw tight. He grabbed his shoes, sleeves flapping, and left, the door clicking shut.

My heart dropped, but I faced my kids, trying to look strong.

Inside, I was falling apart; wanting Daniel, hating myself for it, scared of what Zoe’s look meant.

“Zoe, you can’t talk to me like that,” I snapped, grabbing a dish towel, my hands shaking so much I almost dropped it. “I’m your mom. I deserve to be happy too.”

Zoe’s eyes flashed, her voice shaking with anger and tears. “Happy? With a guy who looks like a teenager? Mom, if this gets out, people will call you a pedophile!” Her words hit hard, her face red, like she was mad but also scared for me.

My breath stopped, the word pedophile burning worse than anything Evan ever said. I saw the gossip, the headlines—divorced mom chases young rich guy. My body ached for Daniel, his hands, his voice saying I was enough, but Zoe’s tears screamed I’d lose my kids if I kept this up.

I wanted to shout he wasn’t a kid, that he made me feel alive, but my throat closed, fear taking over.

Leo stepped up, his voice calm but strong, his eyes on Zoe. “Ease up, Zoe. The guy’s way over eighteen, he’s an adult. You don’t have to be so mean to Mom.” He looked at me, his smile warm, like he wanted me to know he was on my side.

My eyes stung, Leo’s support like a hug, but Zoe’s pain cut deeper. “Leo, you don’t get it,” she argued, her voice breaking, tears falling. “She’s our mom, not some party girl. People will trash her. She’s throwing everything away for what? Some hookup?” Her hands shook, her love for me mixed with anger.

I swallowed hard, my chest tight. She wasn’t wrong. People would rip me apart—call me desperate, a bad mom. But Daniel’s words rang in my head—I’m asking for you—and my body burned, wanting him, wanting to feel wanted.

“It’s not a hookup,” I whispered, my voice weak, barely holding together. “He’s… different. He makes me feel like I’m not broken.”

Zoe’s face softened, but her eyes stayed hard. “Mom, you’re not broken. But this? It’ll hurt you more.” Her voice cracked, almost begging. “You have to stop it. For us. For you.”

My heart twisted, stuck between my kids and the fire Daniel started in me. Leo’s eyes were kind, like he wanted me to choose myself, but Zoe’s tears were too heavy. I’d already lost Evan, my marriage, my confidence. Could I lose my kids too? My body screamed for Daniel, his touch, his promise, but my heart said I had to keep my family safe.

“Leo, Zoe, I’m sorry you saw that,” I said, my voice shaking, the towel slipping from my hands. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” I looked at Zoe, her tears matching mine. “I’ll stop it. I promise.”

Leo frowned, stepping closer. “You sure, Mom? You kinda seem different.” His voice was soft, searching, like he saw how much this hurt me.

Zoe wiped her eyes, her voice quiet but firm. “It’s the right choice, Mom. You’ll see.” Her words felt heavy, like she was trying to protect me from myself.

I nodded, my throat tight, my chest aching like I’d just given up something real. The kitchen felt small, the air heavy with my kids’ feelings and my own guilt.