Chased By My Billionaire Ex-husband

Claire’s POV

I tried to match Sissy’s excitement, but honestly, it was hard. She had completely forgotten about little Eliam in his excitement.

"You know! I got a good opportunity! There is this role and I met the director, he said that he wanted you to audition for it! He said he was about to contact us but I met him at the bar first!" She remarked, barely able to contain her happiness.

Hearing her words, I felt an adrenaline rush inside me but I contained myself. "Alright, go freshen up, and then we will catch up," I told her, gently steering her toward the bathroom. Just as she turned, a soft little voice piped up from the doorway.

"Mommy!" Eliam mumbled, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and before either of us could react, he waddled over, wrapping his tiny arms around my leg.

I looked down, my heart melting as he stretched his arms up toward me, his little hands soft and warm. "Up... Up, Liam wants up. Liam missed Mommy!" he said as his sleepy eyes blinked up at me.

Sissy froze in the mid-step, her mouth slightly open as she took in the scene. "Wh... What the heck is going on here?" she blurted, her hangover forgotten in an instant as her eyes practically popped out of her socket.

But I barely heard her. I bent down, scooping Eliam into my arms. "Did you sleep well, sweetheart?" I asked softly, kissing his forehead. He gave me a little nod, his eyes half-closed as he snuggled against my shoulder. He still seemed to be asleep.

Sissy stood there, still staring. "Mommy?" she repeated, looking from Eliam to me like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "When did this happen? And he is... yours?"

"Let’s talk about it after your shower!" I told Sissy, giving her a small smile, hoping she would drop the questions—at least for now.

She rolled her eyes but grinned. "Yes, boss! But you better be ready with some answers when I get back!" She disappeared into the washroom, leaving me alone with little Eliam. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I took him back to the bedroom and gently set him down on the bed. "Sit here for a moment, baby. I will be right back," I said softly and was about to turn away. But just as I did, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve.

"Mommy... are you going to leave me too? Like you left Daddy?" Eliam’s voice was so small and soft, his big eyes filling with tears as he clung to me. His words, spoken with that innocent, milky tone, made my heart feel like it was breaking in two.

A flood of emotions washed over me, a mix of confusion and tenderness. How did I end up in this role, with this little boy calling me his mother? I cared for Eliam, but the thought of truly being his mother, knowing that Evander was his father, made my heart twist. Had he had him with another woman after all!

But as I looked down at Eliam, my desire to protect him overwhelmed all those doubts. I wanted to shelter him from the harshness of the world, to be the warmth he needed, and maybe, to keep him from ever knowing his father’s cold, heartless ways.

I sat back on the bed and pulled him into a hug. "I am not going anywhere, sweetheart," I whispered, smoothing his hair. "Are you hungry? I will go get you some nice and warm milk."

Eliam gave a tiny nod and pulled back, his fingers fiddling nervously. "Okay," he whispered, and then, as if it were just the most natural thing in the world, he added, "As long as I am a good boy... Mommy and Daddy won’t leave me. They will love me."

Those words seemed simple but they nearly shattered me. His little voice was so innocent, so hopeful, yet it echoed the same emptiness I once felt as a child— always striving to be good enough, just to feel loved.

I looked down at Eliam, my heart breaking for him. I couldn’t help but hug him tightly. "Don’t worry, sweetheart. No one is leaving you. I promise," I whispered, gently stroking his hair. I pulled away and I took a deep breath to steady myself before heading out of the room.

As I walked down the hallway, I felt tears forming in my eyes. Even though Eliam was too young to understand everything, his words hit me hard. I took a deep breath, brushed away the tears, and went to the kitchen to make him a warm glass of milk.

I returned to find him sitting on the bed as I had left him, waiting for me with those hopeful eyes. "Here, Eliam," I said, handing him the glass. "Drink it slowly, okay?"

He nodded, carefully holding the glass in his little hands. I watched him for a moment, feeling a soft smile creep onto my face despite the ache in my heart. Then, I turned and began cleaning up the mess that George had left behind.

Just then, Sissy came out of the washroom, finally looking like a human but still a bit dazed. Eliam had finished his milk and sat quietly, playing with his fingers. I motioned Sissy over, and in a quiet voice, I explained everything to her, glancing at Eliam now and then to make sure he couldn’t hear us.

"That jerk! How could he do this to you?" she whispered angrily, but her expression softened when her eyes fell on Eliam. "But he is so cute that I can’t even get angry." She said, tilting her head and studying him for a second.

Then, she gave me a curious look. "You know... if you look closely, he actually does have a few of your features," she murmured, glancing back and forth between Eliam and me.

"Quit talking nonsense! I am going to the hospital to meet Grandmother!" I replied. "And do not forget to brief me about the role I have to audition."

"But why are you going there!?" Sissy asked as she raised her brows.

"Nurse Julie called! Grandma is looking for me and I can’t ignore her like this," I replied and waved my hand to quit asking questions and get to work.