Page 104 of The Spring in My Heart

Does he even want more kids?

I’ve never actually given it much thought. When I was with Mateo, we talked about it—well, in the beginning, anyway. That was the time when he called me the perfect wife material, and I listened. Worst of all, I believed it. The first time he cheated on me, he claimed it was out of fear. I was the perfect girlfriend, the dream wife-to-be. It supposedly scared him because his father had been a player who left scattered children everywhere. Everyone expected Mateo to do the same. Instead of doing better, he set out to fulfill the prophecy that plagued him his whole life.

“How did it feel to talk to her?” Bron’s words slash through my memory as I turn the corner.

“It was…weird. But she’s so nice, you know?” Ayla says. “She called me her princesa.”

“Aww, that’s what mama calls me sometimes.” My niece’s sweet response makes it all clear in my head.

Ayla’s been talking to her mom. Ollie never mentioned anything, though. He normally gets very tense when his ex is mentioned. He would have said something.

“Are you going to keep talking to her?”

I can’t see Ayla’s response, and I move closer to the door.

“I want to. She said I could come spend some time with her in Cali. She wants to take me to the beach and shopping.”

“That’s so cool, Ay. I am so happy for you. You’re getting your mom back. I’ve been so happy since I met Daddy.” Bron’s voice is so dreamy. She’s a kid. She doesn’t realize how different their situations are. Cam never knew about Bron, and when he found her, nothing could have kept him from her.

Noris has known all along where Ayla is. She walked away on purpose. I don’t judge her, but she could’ve come back anytime. She chose not to.

“I’ve always wanted my mom, but I’m scared. I don’t know what Papi will say. I don’t want him to hate me.”

My heart drops down my chest. She’s doing this behind his back. Oh God.

“When are you going to tell?—”

Bron swings the door open, and her mouth drops, stalling mid-sentence when she sees me standing there. Next to her, Ayla’s face goes ghostly white.

We stare at each other, frozen on the spot. I don’t know what to say to her.

Bron breaks our frozen state by stepping closer to Ayla. She’s a little between us and, God, if I don’t love the way they’re so fiercely protective of each other. But I can’t let that stop me from saying what needs to be said.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was coming to get you for dinner when I heard what you said. Ay, you need to tell your dad immediately. He needs to know you are talking to your mom.”

Ayla’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out. She only shakes her head.

“She has the right to see her mom,” my niece says instead. “She hasn’t seen her for thirteen years, and she wants to get to know her.”

By her mother’s own choice.

Ayla doesn’t understand that, and she shouldn’t have to, but still, she needs to tell her dad.

“I understand, but Ayla lives with her dad, and they should not keep any secrets from each other.”

“He keeps secrets from me. He’s had girlfriends…” She trails off, but it’s the fire in her eyes that calls out to me.

“It’s true, Aunt Lux.” Bron is on A’s side all the way.

Jesus. “I am sure he has his reasons. This is not the same. Your dad needs to know. He has custody of you, but if you tell him, he wouldn’t oppose you talking to her.”

Ayla shakes her head but finds her voice. “You don’t understand. Papi is still hurt that she went away. I heard him talking to my abuela one day when she tried to talk about my mom. Abuela said Noris got scared, but Papi didn’t want to listen.”

“I understand, but keeping this from him is not right.”

Ayla steps up and grabs my hands. “I just want to get to know her. I’m talking to her. I’m not doing anything else. I told them no when abuela wanted me to go with her on a cruise, and Mom would join us there. I didn’t want to lie like that to my dad.”

My stomach roils.

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