Lucas' POV
The conversation with my grandfather stuck with me longer than I wanted it to. Days passed, but his words kept repeating in my head, especially when I was alone.
I had always thought I was a calculative person, I was always a step ahead. It was a slap to my face to realize I wasn't this time around. I had just popped out with a child on a random morning, just to avoid talks about marriage and heirs.
I thought I'd made the right choice for both me and Owen.
But the more I thought about it, the more it felt like I'd only been thinking about myself. Sure, I could raise Owen on my own. I was capable, strong enough for it. But just because I could didn't mean I should.
I was more determined to raise Owen on my own and proof my grandfather wrong. Everyone that said Owen needed a mother figure; I was ready to make them eat their words.
My mind was sealed up until the day Owen said his first words— at least to my ears.
"Mama," he had repeated thrice. It was another slap to my face. I wondered where he had learnt the word from because he repeated it for the rest of the week.
My mum had stopped by and intensified her nagging when she heard him say that word. I began considering the option of getting a girlfriend.
Truth be told, Olivia had left a void in my heart that left me closed off to the idea of being close to other women. No one came close to her and unintentionally, I look for her qualities in them.
The problem was, I didn't want love. I didn't want someone messing up my life or making me spiral just like Olivia did. I just needed someone to fill the role of Owen's mum, someone warm enough to be his mom. Nothing more, nothing less.
A memory hit me out of nowhere one night. That woman from my grandfather's dinner. I didn't remember her name, but I remembered her face, how she looked when she held Owen. She was pretty, sure, but that wasn't what stood out. It was the way she handled him—calm, gentle, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I didn't think much of it at the time, but now, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Julian," I said the next morning, calling him into my office. "The woman at the dinner. The one who held Owen. Find out who she is."
Julian looked at me like he wanted to ask why, but he didn't. He just nodded and left.
The next day, he handed me a a detailed report on her profile.
Her name was Linda Charms. Daughter of the owner of L&J companies, a pediatrician who loved kids. Julian handed me a folder with all the details. I skimmed through it, leaning back in my chair. She sounded… decent. Maybe more than decent.
As if fate had planned, a week later, at a seminar, there she was, sitting a few rows ahead of me. I didn't expect to see her so soon. I was still gathering my thoughts about her but it all just seemed like things were falling into place. I almost didn't recognize her at first, but when she turned her head, it all clicked.
She was paying attention to the speaker, but I caught her glancing back at me a few times. I didn't do anything. I wasn't the type to make moves or start conversations. I didn't need to.
After the seminar ended, she made her way over, I knew she would. She was confident and not pushy unlike the other women who threw themselves at me.
"Lucas, right?" she said.
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.
"I knew it was you." She muttered under her breath but I clearly heard her. "Would you like to grab dinner? I could use some company after a long day."
I almost said no. Owen was waiting for me at home, and honestly, I wasn't in the mood. But something made me hesitate. Maybe it was the way she looked at me, or maybe it was the way my grandfather's words still echoed in my head.
"Sure," I said, keeping my tone flat.
Dinner was… fine. She talked more than I did, but I didn't mind. She had a way of keeping the conversation going without making it feel forced. She asked about Owen, and I answered without giving too much away. She didn't push. I liked that.
Over the next few weeks, we had a few more dinners. Slowly, I let her meet Owen. I didn't expect him to like her so quickly, but he did. He smiled more around her, reached for her whenever she was near. I watched them together, trying to picture her in the role I needed her to fill.
Three years passed. Linda became a part of our lives, steady and dependable. She was good with Owen, patient in ways I couldn't be. She brought something to the table that I couldn't, and for that, I was grateful.
But something always felt… off.
I didn't love her. I knew that. She probably knew it too, though she never said anything. She wasn't Olivia, and no matter how hard I tried to move forward, I couldn't forget her.
Late at night, when the house was quiet, I'd catch myself thinking about Olivia. Wondering what she'd think of all this. I clearly told her Owen didn't need a mother, but here I was, desperate to fill the void I had forced her to leave.
Linda was good. She was everything I thought Owen needed. But she wasn't Olivia. And no matter how much I tried to bury it, that truth never went away.
I sat alone in my study, staring at a picture of Owen on my desk. He looked happy. He was happy.
Was I? It didn't matter. Owen's happiness was all that mattered.
My conviction was steady, but I couldn't help but ponder. Was Olivia happy with someone else?