Page 71 of The Hotel Room

Not because he was restless but because he hadn’tdaredto move last night.

Kate had stayed.

She had let him hold her, even if it wasn’t forgiveness, even if it wasn’t closeness in the way they once shared. It wassomething.

A fragile, precious moment he wasn’t ready to shatter.

She had been there.

The sound of small footsteps padded into the kitchen, and Lily appeared in the doorway, her hair still wild from sleep. She blinked at him, rubbing her eyes before her face broke into a soft, hopeful smile.

“Dad?”

James raised an eyebrow. “Morning, Lils. Want breakfast?”

She ignored the question, leaning against the counter instead, eyes wide with a curiosity he didn’t quite understand yet.

“Were you and Mom cuddling last night?”

James froze.

The coffee cup nearly slipped from his fingers as he set it down carefully, clearing his throat.

Oh.

Heat rose to his neck. For a second, he wanted to say yes. Wanted to tell her things were going back to normal. Wanted to cling to the flicker of happiness in her eyes.

But he couldn’t lie to her.

He crouched to her level, voice gentle.

“Yeah, sweetheart. Mom stayed with me last night. But…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “It doesn’t mean everything’s fixed. I still have a lot of apologizing to do.”

Lily tilted her head, frowning.

“But you’re not fighting anymore?”

James swallowed hard, the ache behind his ribs pressing deeper.

“We’re trying not to fight,” he said carefully. “But grown-ups…sometimes when one person makes a really big mistake, it takes a while to make things better again. I hurt Mom, and I’m trying to show her how sorry I am. It’s going to take time.”

Lily nodded slowly, processing.

“But youloveeach other, right?”

James felt his throat tighten.

“Yes.Somuch.” His voice cracked, but he didn’t care. “I love your mom with all my heart. And I love you and Noah just as much. That willneverchange. Okay?”

Lily seemed satisfied with that, but her smile was softer, more cautious.

“Okay.” She paused, then added, “Do you think Mom’s happier again now?”

James exhaled, brushing her hair gently behind her ear.

“I hope so, sweetheart. I really do.”

And as Lily wandered back to the living room, James stayed on the kitchen floor for a long moment, heart aching with the weight of both hope and fear.

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