Lucas took a deep breath.

His hands were clenched tightly in his lap.

He was carefully gathering his thoughts.

“Isabella, regarding what my mother said…” He paused, searching for the right phrasing. “Please, don’t let it bother you. She simply… doesn’t always grasp the full picture.”

“Your mother is correct,” Isabella interjected softly.

Her gaze dropped for a brief moment as she selected her next words with care. “My circumstances are… complex. Lucas, I’m genuinely thankful for everything you’ve done for Liam and me recently. However…” She hesitated, her voice gentle yet unwavering. “I haven’t contemplated anything beyond that.”

Lucas met Isabella’s gaze.

He recognized the soft rejection in her clear eyes.

He swallowed down the immediate surge of disappointment. “Isabella, I understand your reservations, but…”

He tried to continue, but Isabella cut him off gently, shaking her head. “Lucas,” she said, her tone kind but firm. “You are an incredible person. But right now, my life revolves around Liam. He is my sole priority. I don’t have the emotional capacity to focus on anything else.”

Lucas’s throat constricted as he watched her.

A quiet frustration shone in his eyes, impossible to conceal.

Looking at Lucas, Isabella felt a pang in her heart.

The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable.

She could feel his genuine care for her.

Yet, despite her deep appreciation, she couldn’t return his feelings.

Her past, a failed marriage, and the heavy emotional weight of raising Liam alone dominated her thoughts.

Furthermore, the fear of rushing into a new relationship pressed down on her.

To Isabella, Lucas had always been a supportive friend.

Nothing more.

She wasn’t ready to alter that perception.

Nearby, Liam had been playing by himself.

But the amusement was beginning to wear thin.

He glanced over at Isabella and Lucas, sitting on the bench, talking in low voices.

They seemed so engrossed in their conversation that they had completely forgotten about him.

Liam kicked a small pebble with his foot.

It caused him to stumble, nearly falling to the ground.

“Careful!” a deep voice called out from behind him.

A strong hand swiftly steadied the boy.

Liam looked up.

He recognized the sharply defined face above him.

It was Ethan.

Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, Ethan looked more commanding than ever.

His deep-set eyes carried an air of cool detachment.

As Ethan’s eyes landed on Liam, his stern expression softened noticeably.

He signaled for Benjamin, who was close behind, to continue to the car without him.

With a silent nod, Benjamin headed toward the sleek black sedan parked at the curb.

Liam, who remembered Ethan from a fun day at the hospital playing with toys, broke into a wide grin.

He reached up eagerly.

“Ethan!”

A sudden, unexpected warmth spread through Ethan’s chest.

He bent down and lifted Liam into his arms.

“What are you doing here all alone? Where is your mother?”

“Mom is over there!”

Liam pointed his small finger toward Isabella and Lucas, who were sitting comfortably on a bench beside the flowerbed.