My Son Calls Another Woman Mom Chapter 07

My Son Calls Another Woman Mom Chapter 07

Claire’s POV 

Across town, I have no idea what’s happening with Elijah. 

And I don’t want to know. 

Two months. I’ve spent two months at this orphanage. 

Elijah and I built this place ten years ago. We’d just fought our way up from the streets, blood still on our hands, but we both remembered what it was like growing up in an orphanage. So we built this place to take in kids nobody wanted. 

Everything’s in my name. The accounts, the address, all the paperwork. Even Elijah doesn’t know where it is. Back then, it was for security, so our enemies couldn’t find our weak spot. Now that same protection keeps me safe from him. 

Ironic? I don’t know. All I know is these two months have been the best sleep I’ve had in years. 

The kids burst into my room every morning asking for breakfast. Some call me Claire, some call me their big sister. The youngest one, a four–year–old girl, climbs into my bed and wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you,” she says. 

I love them too. At least more than I love my own son. 

There’s only one staff member here, Adrian. He was the first kid we took in. Ten years ago, Elijah and I found him on a street corner, ten years old, curled up behind a dumpster, thin as a stick. We brought him here. He wouldn’t talk, just stared at the wall. 

Now he’s eighteen, eight years younger than me, tall, always smiling. He runs the day–to–day operations, plays with the kids like he’s one of them. Sometimes I watch him and remember that quiet, withdrawn boy. 

People change. Some go from light to dark. Some go from dark to light. 

The last few days, I’ve noticed things. Strange cars outside the gate, black SUVS with out–of–state plates. 

One of the kids said they saw someone hanging around. Last night when I took out the trash, I felt eyes on me. 

I know who it is. But I don’t go looking for him. I just tell Adrian to be careful, keep strangers away from the kids. 

Adrian asks if I’m in some kind of trouble. 

Itell him I’m fine. 

He looks at me like he wants to say something, but just nods. 

Evening comes and I’m playing hide and seek with the kids in the yard. That’s when I see him. 

Elijah stands outside the gate. He looks rough. 

Unshaven, dark circles under his eyes, wrinkled suit, Nothing like the sharp, confident mob boss I remember. 

I send the kids inside, then walk to the gate. We stare at each other through the bars. 

“I saw what you left me.” His voice is quiet. “I think you misunderstood.” 

“Giving my kid away was a misunderstanding?“. 

His throat moves. 

“I’m sorry.” 

The words sound foreign coming from him. 

“I thought we were solid. So I wanted to try something new. I thought you’d always be there waiting.” 

“I get it.” 

He freezes. 

“When you go looking for something new, you lose what you had.” I look at him. “It happens.” 

“Claire…” 

“If you’re here to ask me to come back,” I turn away, we’re done talking.” 

“I know I fucked up!” 

He grabs the gate, knuckles going white. 

“I get it now. All of it. I thought you couldn’t live without me, but it’s the other way around. I can’t live without you.” 

His voice shakes. This man who’s killed more people than I can count, his voice is shaking. 

“Please. Come back. I’m begging you.” 

I stop walking. Not because I feel sorry for him. 

Because I hear another voice. 

“You’re bad!” 

Owen jumps out of a black SUV and runs to Elijah’s side, pointing at me. “What do you want? Are you trying to take my dad?” 

I look at Owen. Six years old and his eyes are full of hate. 

“See?” I say to Elijah. “He’s right. You three belong together.” 

“No!” Elijah reaches through the bars, trying to grab my hand but can’t reach. “I’ll fix this with him! He’s 

only six, it’s not too late! Just give me a chance, please “She doesn’t want to see you.” Adrian’s voice comes from behind me. He walks over and stands next to me