Chapter 41

Chapter 41

BLAIRE

Six years later...

“Blaire, where do you want me to put this sack of flour? Ethan asked as

he entered my shop, effortlessly carrying a new supply of flour on his

shoulder. I had been running a bit short-staffed, so I had requested

Ethan's help to replenish our stock from the market. The dessert shop

had gained popularity within the neighborhood.

In the wake of the divorce, I redirected all my time and energy into

making my small. dessert shop a thriving success. It became my sole

source of income after I made the conscious decision to refuse any

assistance from Sebastian post-separation. I yearned for a fresh start,

detached from the pain of my past, and my shop provided the canvas

for this new chapter in my life. The enticing aroma of freshly baked

goods and the sweet symphony of bustling customers now filled the

space that once echoed with the remnants of a broken marriage.

I went back to Hawaii and continued my business here after I left lan’s

house. It

I didn’t matter if Sebastian already knew where I was, for I am sure that

he had no plans to visit me here. Our chapter was already close. It's

been years since then, and I was thankful that I didn’t see any sign of

Sebastian since then. He probably moved on with his life with

Catherine.

“Thanks, Ethan. Just place it near the storage area,” I replied, wiping

my hands on t apron. Ethan nodded and carefully moved towards the

designated spot.

my

“You've really turned this place around, Blaire. The customers love it,"

he remarked, glancing around the shop with admiration.

“I appreciate your help, Ethan. It's been a journey, but I'm glad to see

the shop thriving,” I replied with a grateful smile.

He leaned against the counter. “So, any plans for the upcoming

weekend? You've been all work and no play lately.”

I chuckled. “Well, I can't. If I don't work, Blaze and I will starve. Besides,

we have a pile of hospital bills to pay. Blaze condition is quite

expensive,” I answered.

My son was born with a congenital heart disease. He developed a hole

in his heart, and we've been managing his symptoms since birth. The

doctor says that he might be in need of a heart transplant sooner or

later. The procedure was quite expensive, but I'm doing everything in

my power to give my son the life he deserves.

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“Have you thought about my suggestion?” he asked.

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Chapter 41

I stopped organizing the display cupcake upon hearing what Ethan

said. I looked at him with a stern look as I put my hand on my waist.

“Don’t even think about saying it again, Ethan. You're a good friend of

mine, and I love you. But don't even try. I don't care if he's the richest

man in the world

I will never ask for his help. I can take care of my

child alone.” I said.

He quickly raises both of his hands as a sign of defcat. “I was just

suggesting. It will be much easier for you and Blaze if you'll ask for his

help. Look how thin you are. You've been neglecting yourself, Blaire,”

he said.

I let out a loud sigh. “I'm fine, Ethan. And I'm not changing my decision.

I can take care of Blaze without his life. We don’t need him.”

“Then how about the offer of a dessert supplier for this newly opened

hotel in New York? We could put up a small shop there to

accommodate them,” he said.

Ethan's words lingered in the air, tempting me with the prospect of

expansion. I weighed the possibilities, contemplating the idea of

venturing beyond the familiar boundaries of my local shop. I've

received an offer from a newly built hotel in New York. But my

hesitation doesn’t come from whether I would be able to handle such a

huge opportunity, but from the fact that New York is where my past is. I

don't want to risk bumping into them.

“It's a tempting offer, Ethan, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to let go of this

place. Besides, the shop can still cover all our expenses. I don't think

accepting another client would be suitable at this moment.”

He leaned against the counter, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I

get it, Blaire. But think about it. It could be a great opportunity, not just

for the business but for you and Blaze too.

I considered his words, the vision of a broader h or izon mingling with

my sense of caution. The future held uncertainties, but perhaps

embracing new possibilities was the key to unlocking a chapter of my

life that transcended the shadows of the past.

The bustling sounds of the dessert shop provided a comforting

backdrop as I continued to ponder Ethan's proposition. It was

undeniable that the prospect of growth and success was enticing, yet a

part of me hesitated, tethered to the memories of a life that once

promised happiness.

Blaze, my energetic and cheerful son, ran into the shop, his eyes

lighting up as he spotted me. “Mom! Guess what? I made a new friend

at school today!”

A genuine smile crept across my face as Blaze shared his day,

momentarily diverting my thoughts from the weighty decisions that

loomed over me. The joy in his voice was a reminder of the simplicity

and beauty that life could hold.

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Chapter 41

“You did?” I responded with glee.

“Yes, mom! They have all been

od to me. I like going to school, mom!” he continued. Due to Blaze’s

condition, I opted not to send him to regular school. But Blaze

practically begs me to send him to school, just like all the kids in our

neighborhood. He has been jealous of them whenever he sees him

walking right past our shop with their school bags and uniforms.

Despite my hesitation, I decided to give it a shot. And I think it's the

right decision, seeing how he was happy coming home from school.

“I'm glad you liked it,” I said.

“Thank you, mom,” he said before wrapping his tiny arms around my

waist as he gave me a tight hug.

I embraced Blaze, his joy radiating through the small but meaningful

moments. The

decision to let him experience the simple joys of school, despite, &

proved to be a source of happiness for both of us.

health challenges,

“Blaire, there's a customer at the counter asking about our special

chocolate cake. Should I go ahead and serve them?” Ethan called from

the front of the shop.

I gently disengaged from Blaze's hug, ruffling his hair with a smile.

“Sure, Ethan. Tell them it's our pleasure to serve them our special

chocolate cake.”

Blaze's eyes sparkled with excitement. “Can I help, Mom?”

I chuckled, appreciating his eagerness. “Of course you can, my little

helper. Let's make sure our customer leaves with a smile.”

As Blaze and I approached the counter, I noticed a familiar face among

the customers: Alexander. He was browsing through the display of

pastries with genuine interest. I wasn't expecting to see him here.

“Alexander?” I called him, trying to sound casual despite the

unexpected encounter.

He looked up, a warm smile crossing his face. “I heard this place has

the best desserts in town. I thought I'd give it a try. But I wasn't

expecting to see you here, Blaire. How are you?"

Blaze, being the curious boy he was, chimed in, “Mom makes the best

desserts ever!”

Alexander chuckled. He then leaned closer to Blaze before he spoke

again. “Is he your son?” he asked curiously.

I gently pulled Blaze closer to my side as I answered, “Yes.”

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Alexander's eyes softened as he looked at Blaze. “He's a remarkable

kid. You must be a proud mom.”

I nodded, a mix of pride and gratitude filling me. “He's my world.”

Blaze, sensing the attention, beamed up at Alexander. “Are you going

to buy our cake?”

Alexander laughed. “Well, I'll have to try those.”

As Alexander and Blaze continued their friendly banter. I couldn't shake

off the nagging thought about the alternate path our lives could have

taken if Sebastian had been a part of Blaze's life. Before it gets any

further, I quickly shake off the unwanted thoughts in my head.

Sebastian already has a life of his own, and so will I.

After talking to Alexander, he then turned to me. “So, I'm guessing

Sebastian was not in the picture?” he said once Blaze turned his

attention to another customer.

“Yeah,” I vaguely answered.

"Does he know?" he asked.

“He doesn’t need to know. There's no point in telling him when he was

so convinced that I slept with you that night,” I chuckled, acting as if

that past was nothing but a casual encounter.

Alexander's expression shifted, revealing a mix of curiosity and

concern. “That's a complicated situation. Have you thought about telling

him the truth?”

I sighed, contemplating the complexities of unraveling the past. “Some

truths are better left unsaid. Besides, our paths have diverged, and I'm

focused on building a new chapter for Blaze and me.”

He nodded understandingly, acknowledging the intricacies of my

chosen path. Little did he know, beneath the facade of casual

conversation, lay the layers of a story marked by heartbreak and

resilience.

“Well, it's nice meeting you again, Blaire. I hope everything turns out

well for you and your kid,” he said before bidding goodbye.

I forced a smile on my face as I watched Alexander leave my shop. I

have a bad feeling about our encounter today. It feels like my world is

starting to get smaller and smaller. I'm scared that it won't be long

before our paths meet again.

As I tried to put what happened today behind me, I was startled when I

heard a commotion coming from the corner of the shop. My eyes

automatically search for Blaze. And when I didn't find him behind the

counter, my heart ski pped a beat. I uickly ran to check what the

commotion was about. With each step, I was praying that

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Chapter 41

it wasn't Blaze. But it seems like I was out of luck today. My heart

clenched when I saw my son lying on the floor, unconscious.

“Blaze!” I called for him as I tried to check his status. He has a pulse,

which gives me more hope. “Ethan! Get the car!”

In the rush of panic, I cradled Blaze in my arms, his small figure feeling

fragile against my desperate grip. The usually bustling shop now

echoed with the urgency of the

moment.

Ethan hurriedly fetched the car, and we wasted no time rushing Blaze

to the hospital. Panic clung to me like a suffocating shroud as I held my

unconscious son in my arms. The urgency of the situation propelled us

through the city streets, each passing moment amplifying the fear that

gripped my heart.

Upon reaching the hospital, medical personnel swiftly took charge,

whisking Blaze away for examination. I paced the waiting area, my

mind swirling with thoughts of worst-case scenarios. The ticking clock

seemed to echo the erratic beat of my anxious heart.

Ethan stood by my side, offering a supportive presence in the face of

uncertainty. The minutes crawled by until the doctor approached us.

The doctor's face bore a mixture of concern and careful optimism as

they began, “We've run some tests, and it appears that Blaze

experienced a seizure. Given his history, I believe this is another

complication of his congenital heart disease. We'll need to conduct

further examinations to determine the cause.”

Fear tightened its grip on me, and I clutched the edge of a nearby chair

for support. “Is he going to be okay?” I asked, my voice trembling.

The doctor nodded. “We're doing our best to understand the underlying

issues. He's stable for now, but I suggest you talk to his doctor as soon

as possible. He might need heart surgery sooner rather than later. His

heart is getting weaker and weaker by the day. The next seizure might

be fatal. So, I suggest you consider a heart transplant as soon as

possible.”

I felt the weight of the doctor's words press upon me, a heavy burden

that seemed to echo in the silence of the hospital room. The

vulnerability of Blazes condition struck me like a tidal wave, and the

mention of a heart transplant added a layer of complexity to our already

challenging situation.

Ethan, his concern etched on his face, spoke softly, “Blaire, you don't

have to face this alone. We can figure it out together. And if you need

any help, you know I'm here for both you and Blaze.”

I nodded appreciatively, grateful for the support. The hospital room,

once a cocoon of

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contemplation, now echoed with the weight of decisions yet to be

made. The prospect of a heart transplant hung in the air, a daunting

option that held both hope and uncertainty.

Ethan, still standing by my side, gently squeezed my shoulder. “You're

stronger tha you think, Blaire. You've already faced so much, and you'll

find a way through this too.”

I managed a small smile, appreciating his words of encouragement. “I

just want what's best for Blaze. It's hard to see him go through this.”

“We'll do everything we can for him,” Ethan assured, his sincerity

evident.

Thank you, Ethan. Your support means a lot to us,” I expressed,

grateful for the friend who stood by me during these challenging times.

As we navigated the uncertainties. ahead, the camaraderie we shared

became a source of strength in the face of life's unpredictable journey.

A few more hours later, Blaze slowly regained consciousness. Though

still weak and pale, he already manages to

force a smile on his face. He's probably worried, and I might be worried

about him, so pretend to be okay. He's only five years old, but he

already understands what's happening.

“Mom, I'm fine. Don’t worry too much,” Blaze reassured me, attempting

to downplay the severity of his condition.

I brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, a mixture of relief and

concern evident in

my eyes. “You scared me,

Blaze

Blaze's expression shifted, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his eyes. “I'll

be okay, Mom. I'm strong, aren't I? I'll get better soon. Then I can go

back to school again,” he said.

“Or play soccer!” Ethan suggested, probably in the hopes of getting

Blaze to look forward to the future..

“Let's not get a hold of ourselves, shall we?" I chuckled, trying to lighten

up the mood. “Let's focus on you getting better first, okay?"

“Yes, mom,” he agreed before continuing to play with the toy that the

doctor gave him a while ago.

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