Page 88 of One Little Mistake

“Baby,” he slurs, leaning in close, his breath warm and thick with alcohol. “I missed you so much. Come here.”

His hands brush over my skin. I recoil instantly.

“Max, you’re drunk. Get off me.”

“Come on, Erin… don’t you want me? It’s been so long. I missed you like crazy.”

“No, Max. I don’t want you. And would you please stop breathing on me? And keep your voice down—the baby’s sleeping. Your baby, by the way,” I snap, finally turning to face him in the dim glow of the nightstand light.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he says, frowning. “You got someone else now? That ‘neighbor’ guy? You screw around while I’m gone and think I won’t find out?”

“First of all, sweetie,” I say, my anger rising, “you have to be in a relationship with someone to be cheated on. And when I told you I was pregnant, you didn’t say a single thing about us being together. Not one word. Second—look who’s talking. I found women’s things in your apartment. Don’t even pretend you were out there searching for me. Anything could’ve happened to me! Your son could’ve been left without a mother!”

A chill runs through me as I say it. Because it’s true. I could’ve died, and who knows what would’ve happened to my baby.

“But you didn’t,” he says flatly, shrugging. “So what are you freaking out about? Come on… let’s just remember how good we used to be. You’re still so damn sexy, Erin.”

He leans in again, tries to kiss me, but I turn my head.

“Stop,” I say sharply, pushing him away.

Max looks at me with a strange glint in his eyes, then lets out a mocking laugh.

“Good thing I never married you. You’re painfully boring and uptight,” he says with venom, and I stiffen. His words hit like a slap to the face, making my entire body go cold.

“What did you just say?” My voice comes out hoarse, disbelieving.

“Bet you got pregnant on purpose, huh?” Max sneers. “Little small-town girl sees a guy with prospects and decides to lock him down?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I never asked you for a single damn cent during my entire pregnancy—or after giving birth! I’m independent, Max. And not exactly broke either, just so you know. So screw you!” I throw the blanket off and nearly leap out of bed. I never should’ve come here. I hoped for a civil conversation, some real answers—but all I got was confirmation that my ex is a total asshole.

“Yeah, go ahead. Run back to your neighbor. The one drooling over you. Just do yourself a favor this time and make sure he’s actually dating you and not just killing time on vacation. You’re such a naive little girl, Erin. Easy to confuse things, huh? He proposes and suddenly you’re already picking out wedding dresses.”

I pretend not to hear, but inside, it burns. I really thought he was better than this. Once. We were good together once—before reality ruined it. What the hell happened to him?

I scoop Tim into my arms, refusing to even glance in Max’s direction. I grab my purse and walk out—still in my pajamas and slippers.

The tears press at my throat, but I force them down. I didn’t know words could hurt this much. And now I’m not so sure my son even needs a father like him.

I step into the elevator, my hand hovering above the number “6” but not pressing it. I hesitate. Somewhere else in this building, it’s warm. Safe. A place where I can be weak for once.Where I can feel comfort and calm. I swallow the lump in my throat and finally press the button for my floor.

The elevator descends painfully slow. My temples throb. I feel drained. Broken.

That’s when I make a decision.

I’m leaving.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll pack everything and go. Just for a month. My grandmother’s house is in the next town over, and there’s a decent pediatrician there too. Tim and I will be fine.

At least we’ll be far away from all this.

Close to someone who truly loves me.

As the elevator doors slide open, I catch myself subconsciously expecting to see Taylor standing near my apartment. But that’s wishful thinking. It’s the middle of the night—normal people are already fast asleep. And after I walked out on him to go back to my ex, there’s no way he’d show up to check on me and Tim.

I pause outside my apartment door. The thin pajama fabric offers no protection from the chill in the hallway, but honestly? The cold helps. It clears my head. I’m glad I cried everything out earlier—before Max revealed who he really was. Because if I hadn’t, tonight would’ve broken me.

I dig out my keys, step inside, and flick the lights on. The warped floorboards and ugly water stains on the walls and ceiling make me wince.

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