Page 91 of One Little Mistake

“Your ex driving you there?” He says the word with clear distaste.

“What?”

“Max. Is he taking you?”

“Oh. No. We, uh… It’s over. That’s done.” I shrug and look away, my cheeks burning.

“Good,” Taylor mutters, scanning the water stains on the ceiling. “Didn’t like him. Glad that’s been sorted out quickly.”

He pauses. “I’ll drive you.”

“To where?” I blink at him, confused.

“To your grandma’s.”

“You don’t have to. Really. I already feel like I’m constantly bothering you. You’ve done so much for us already—way more than you needed to. I haven’t even paid you back for the repairs in the shop.”

“Don’t argue. You’re not driving that far alone,” he says firmly, brushing off everything I’ve said. “Are these all the bags, or is there more?”

“The stroller and the baby tub.”

“Got it. I’ll load them in the car. Let me know when you’re ready.”

“Okay,” I whisper, stunned once again by the way Taylor just handles things—without fuss, without asking for anything in return. Just quiet strength that leaves me with no room to protest.

Even though I won’t admit it out loud, the idea of sitting next to Taylor in a car for a few hours, delaying goodbyes, stealing glances at him—I can’t say no to that. So I pick up the pace, gather the last of our things, take Tim in my arms, and head down to the underground parking garage.

I settle into the back seat with Tim, even though I desperately want to sit up front—closer to him. Taylor drives with calm confidence, steady hands on the wheel, not in a rush. I watch the back of his head, occasionally catching what feels like his gaze in the rearview mirror. Or maybe he’s just watching the road?

“You said you wanted to talk,” I finally break the silence. “Before… you know, my ex showed up.”

“We’ll get to that,” he says after a pause, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. His knuckles turn white. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” he asks through clenched teeth, trying to keep his anger in check.

“I can handle myself. Don’t worry,” I say softly.

“Good. So, what’s the situation now?”

“He’s on his own. Timur and I live separately from him,” I say quietly.

Silence again. I turn to the window, watching the familiar road blur past. Back in college, I used to visit my grandma every other weekend. This route is burned into my memory—every bend, tree, even the cracks in the pavement. A wave of nostalgia washes over me. Things used to be so simple. I wish I could rewind time and relive those carefree years.

I’m nervous about going home. My grandma still doesn’t know that Max and I broke up, and I’ll have to explain somehow. She’s old-school—strict and proper. It took her long enough to accept that I got pregnant out of wedlock.

When the dented white sign marking the entrance to our little town flashes by, the flood of memories nearly overwhelms me. Childhood moments. Teen days. Everything comes rushing back. I smile despite myself. The streets, the trees in bloom, people I recognize through the car window—it’s like I’ve stepped into a parallel world, one untouched by the chaos of the city.

Taylor pulls up to my grandmother’s house like he’s lived here his whole life. I don’t even get a chance to ask how he knew the address—because my throat tightens the second I see her burst out the front door, panic and love all over her face.

I jump out of the car in a hurry and rush toward her.

“Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” Grandma scolds gently, wrapping me in a hug. “I would’ve gotten the house ready! My goodness, sweetheart, just look at you! You’ve become such a beauty.”

“I missed you so much, Grandma.” My heart aches with tenderness, and even Ollie’s bark makes me smile. “Come on, I want to introduce you to someone.”

I open the back door. Tim is sleeping soundly, so I carefully lift him out of his car seat.

“Thanks,” I murmur to Max, who’s still sitting behind the wheel.

“Well, would you look at this strong little guy,” Grandma coos, leaning over Tim. “I finally lived to see the day. Now I can die in peace.”

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