PART 13:

Selina sat down beside him. This is my fault. I should have known this would happen. It’s not your fault. It’s just the way things are. Adrian rubbed his face. People like me don’t get to date people like you without consequences. Don’t say that. It’s true. It’s not. It’s just people being afraid of change. Selina, Adrian turned to face her.

They’re going to fire me. Maybe not today, maybe not next week, but they’re going to find a reason. And when they do, I lose everything. The insurance, the steady paycheck, the stability Emma needs. I can’t let that happen. So, what are you saying? The question hung between them. Adrian had been asking himself the same thing all afternoon.

I’m saying I don’t know how to make this work, he said quietly. I want to. I want to so badly it’s killing me, but I can’t sacrifice Emma’s security for a relationship that might not survive the pressure anyway. Selina’s eyes were bright. You’re giving up. I’m being realistic. You’re being a coward. The word hit like a slap.

Adrian stood up. I’m protecting my daughter. You’re using your daughter as an excuse. Selina stood, too, angry now. You’re scared. I get it. I’m scared, too. But hiding behind Emma doesn’t make it noble. It just makes it sad. That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s going to lose everything. You think I’m not losing anything? Selina’s voice cracked.

You think this is easy for me? I finally find someone who sees me as a person instead of a bank account, someone who’s honest and kind and real, and now you’re walking away because it’s complicated. Well, guess what, Adrian? Everything worth having is complicated. I have a daughter to think about. So, think about her.

Think about what you’re teaching her. That love isn’t worth fighting for? That you should give up the moment things get hard? Is that really what you want her to learn? Adrian felt anger surge. Don’t tell me how to raise my kid. I’m not. I’m telling you not to hide behind her when you’re really just scared of getting hurt. You don’t know anything about being scared.

You’ve always had options, safety nets. If this falls apart, you’ll be fine. Me? I’ll be back to square one with a daughter to feed and no job. Then let me help. I don’t want your help. I want to do this on my own. Why? What does that prove? That I’m not using you. The words came out louder than he intended. That I’m with you because I want to be, not because I need what you can give me.

That’s all anyone is ever going to see, Selina. The maintenance guy who landed the billionaire, the guy who got lucky and rode the gravy train. I will never be anything else to them, and eventually you’ll start seeing it, too. That’s not true. It is, and you know it. Selina stared at him, breathing hard. So, that’s it? You’re just done? Adrian felt like his chest was caving in.

I don’t know. I just know I can’t keep doing this and watch everything fall apart. Then what do you need? I need time. I need to figure out my next move. I need He trailed off, lost. You need me to wait while you decide if I’m worth the risk. Selina’s voice had gone quiet, flat. That’s what you’re asking.

I’m not asking you to wait. I’m asking you to understand. I understand perfectly. She picked up her bag. You’re choosing fear over us. That’s clear enough. Selina. I hope it’s worth it, Adrian. I hope being safe and alone is everything you’re hoping for. She walked away before he could respond. Adrian stood in the empty park as the streetlights flickered on, feeling like he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life, and the only rational choice available to him simultaneously.

His phone buzzed. Text from Mrs. Castellanos. Emma’s asking when you’ll be home. I told her soon. He typed back. On my way. But he sat on the bench for another 10 minutes, staring at nothing, before he could make himself move. When he got home, Emma was at the kitchen table doing homework. She looked up when he came in, and her smile faltered.

You have your sad face again. I’m fine. You’re lying. Adrian sat down across from her. Yeah, I’m lying. Emma set down her pencil. What happened? Grown-up stuff. Is it about Selina? Yeah. Did you guys fight? Sort of. Emma was quiet for a moment. Do you still like her? Yeah, I do. Does she still like you? I don’t know, Em. Maybe not anymore.

That’s dumb. Watch your It’s dumb. Emma repeated firmly. You guys like each other. That should be enough. It’s more complicated than that. Why does everyone always say that? Why does everything have to be complicated? Adrian didn’t have an answer. Emma stood up and walked around the table. She climbed into his lap even though she was getting too big for it, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

I liked her, she said into his shoulder. She was nice, and she made you smile for real. Adrian held his daughter and felt his heart break in 17 different directions. I know, baby. So, fix it. I don’t know how. That’s dumb, too. Language. Sorry. She pulled back to look at him. But, Dad, you’re always telling me that things worth having are worth working for.

Remember when I wanted to quit soccer because it was hard? This is different. How? And there it was again, that question he couldn’t answer. How was it different? Because the stakes were higher? Because he was scared? Because admitting he wanted something this badly made him feel vulnerable in a way he hadn’t felt since Emma’s mother left.

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