Learning to Stay
Chapter 15 - Learning to Stay
Nathan moved out of the Hale family estate.
He bought a modest house fifteen minutes from Claire.
Victoria thought it was ridiculous.
Nathan disagreed.
“I’ve lived in mansions my whole life. None of them taught me how to be a father.”
His first overnight visit with the triplets was a disaster.
Oliver refused to sleep.
Ethan spilled juice on the carpet.
Noah developed a fever at two in the morning.
Nathan called Claire in panic.
She arrived wearing sweatpants and an old college sweatshirt.
Nathan was sitting beside Noah’s bed holding a thermometer backward.
Claire laughed.
Nathan looked offended.
“It isn’t funny.”
“It’s a little funny.”
For the first time in six years, they laughed together.
Not as former lovers.
Not as victims.
As parents.
At sunrise, Noah’s fever finally dropped.
Claire found Nathan asleep on the floor beside the bed.
His hand was still holding Noah’s.
Something inside her softened.
She hated that.
May you like
And loved it.
That was worse.
