Page 29 of The Hotel Room

“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “That’s not what’s happening.”

Lily looked nervous. “Why did we have to stay at Aunt Leah’s? Why was Mom sad all the time?”

James exhaled slowly, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. He could do this. They didn’t need the messy details. They didn’t need to knoweverything.

“This has just been a...misunderstanding between me and your mom.” His voice softened, careful. “Sometimes grown-ups have disagreements. And right now, your mom is...well, she’sbeing a little stubborn about some things. But it’s okay. It’s not your fault, and you don’t need to worry about it. I’m going to sort everything out.”

Lily’s brows furrowed, lips pressing into a frown.

“Is she mad at you?”

James hesitated.Yes.

But that wasn’t the right answer.

“She’s upset,” he corrected gently. “But it’s complicated, Lils. And it’s nothing you need to be scared about. Families go through hard times. But I promise you—we’re still a family.Nothing is going to change that.”

He reached for her, and she melted instantly into his chest, small arms wrapping tightly around his neck.

James held her close, smoothing a hand over her back as she clung tighter, her soft sniffle breaking his heart a little more.

“I miss how it used to be,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt.

James swallowed hard.So do I, baby.

“I know,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Me too. But it’s going to get better. I promise.”

And hewouldfix it. He’d explained everything to Kate. He’d done everything right since she moved back in. She just needed time to stop being so...difficult.

Lily pulled back after a moment, nodding as she wiped her eyes.

But Noah—

Noah was still watching. Arms crossed. Unmoved.

James met his gaze carefully. “You okay, bud?”

Noah’s jaw clenched. “If everything’s fine, why is Mom still acting like it’snot?”

James sat back, exhaling through his nose.

It was a loaded question.

And one he couldn’t answer truthfully without opening a door that didn’t need to be opened.

“Look,” he said, keeping his voice calm, level. “Your mom’s going through a lot right now. She’s been stressed, and honestly, I think she’s...overreacting a little. But she’s not the bad guy here, okay? Nobody is.”

Noah’s brows drew together. “Overreacting? So itisher fault.”

James shook his head quickly.

“No. I’m just saying—don’t be mad at her. She’s doing what she thinks is right. And I’m going to keep working to make things better. We just need to give her some space to figure things out. She’ll come around.”

Noah’s glare didn’t soften. If anything, it seemed to deepen.

Great. Now he’s mad at both of us.

James resisted the urge to push further, to force the issue. The last thing he needed was for Noah to turn on Kate entirely—he was already shutting her out.

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