Song for this chapter: Taylor Swift - Afterglow on the multimedia.

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Sign

The morning light filtered through the hospital window as I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for the nurse to bring the discharge papers. Last night felt like a dream—Linc stayed with me, right here in the hospital room. Even though we barely spoke, his presence was enough to make everything feel less frightening, more bearable. It was such a strange feeling, seeing him after all these years and knowing that he still cared, even if he would never admit it.

When we finally left the hospital, Linc and I made our way back to the rest house. As soon as we arrived, I was met with a wave of concern and relief. Fernand and everyone were gathered outside, their faces lighting up when they saw me. It was overwhelming, but in the best way.

And then I saw her—a woman I didn't recognize, but there was something about her that made me stop in my tracks. She was beautiful and elegantly dressed in a light blouse and jeans, her silver-gray hair styled with grace, but it wasn't just her appearance that caught my attention. It was the way she looked at me, like she knew me, like she had been waiting for this moment. Before I could even process it, she stepped forward and hugged me.

I froze. I wasn't used to strangers hugging me, and I had no idea who she was. But the warmth of her embrace was undeniable, comforting in a way that surprised me.

"Sign, I'm so happy to finally meet you," she said, her voice soft and genuine. And that's when it hit me—this was Linc's mother. Karen. I had dated Linc for five years, and yet I had never met her. Not once. I didn't even know what she looked like. And now here she was, holding me like she had known me forever.

"I've heard so much about you," she continued, pulling back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining with warmth.

I glanced over at Linc, who was standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, looking as nonchalant as ever. He didn't say anything, but I could tell by the way he shifted uncomfortably that he was embarrassed. His mom was clearly much more expressive than he was, and I couldn't help but smile at the contrast.

"Well, this is... unexpected," I said, still a little stunned.

Karen just laughed softly, her arm around my shoulder as if we had been friends for years. "Linc doesn't talk about his personal life much, but I've always wanted to meet you. And now, I finally get the chance."

Linc gave a small, awkward nod in response but didn't say a word. He was always like that—cold, distant, hiding whatever he was really feeling. It was something I had gotten used to a long time ago. But even though he stood there with that detached expression, there was something in his eyes, something he didn't want to show.

As awkward as it was for him, for me, it was the first time I felt a real connection to his world, to his life outside of what we had shared all those years ago.

As the afternoon wore on, the reunion became a lively, joyous event. Karen took every opportunity to introduce me to the rest of the family, each one welcoming me with open arms and kind words. There was a warmth to their hospitality that was both comforting and overwhelming.

At one point, Karen called everyone together. "Let's take a family photo!" she announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the middle of the group.

Linc, standing beside me, looked around at the crowd with a bemused expression. "Mom, do we really need another photo?" he asked, though his tone lacked the usual sharpness.

Karen simply waved him off with a laugh. "Oh, come on, Linc. It's not every day we get to capture such a wonderful moment."

I couldn't help but laugh at their dynamic. Linc might have been uncomfortable with the display of family affection, but Karen's enthusiasm was infectious. As the camera clicked, I felt a genuine connection with the people around me.

After the photo session, Karen pulled me aside, away from the bustling crowd. "Sign, I'm so glad you're here. I want to hear everything about you—what you've been up to, how you've been, and how you've been handling all the excitement in your life."

I smiled at her, feeling the sincerity in her words. "Well, I've been busy with work and adjusting to new things in life. It's been a whirlwind, but I'm grateful for the opportunities."

Karen nodded, her gaze soft and understanding. "I know it must be strange to be here under these circumstances, but I hope you're finding some comfort in being with us."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "I am. It's been a while since I felt this kind of connection. It's nice to be reminded that there's still warmth and support out there."

It's funny how small the world can be. I never expected to find myself here, at this rest house, mingling with Linc's family in such an unexpected way. I had come here to work, focusing on my job and the reason for my visit, but life had its own plans. Instead of being solely immersed in my work, I was now part of a vibrant reunion, discovering connections that seemed almost serendipitous.

As the day continued, I found myself increasingly at ease with Linc's family. Despite the unexpected turn of events, it felt like a reunion I hadn't known I needed. Linc's presence, though distant at times, was a comforting reminder of the past, and Karen's kindness was a beacon of warmth that made the day truly special.

As we sipped on our coffee, Karen turned to me with a curious expression. "So, how long will you be staying here in L.A.?"

I glanced at the clock on the wall. "Actually, my flight back to Manhattan is at 5 AM tomorrow. I'm just here for a brief visit."

Karen's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Manhattan? I thought Linc mentioned you were in Washington."

I nodded, a bit taken aback by her knowledge. "Yes, I was in Washington for a while, but I moved to Manhattan a few months ago."

Karen's eyes softened, and she gave me a knowing smile. "Linc did talk about you, you know. He mentioned you a few times, and it was clear that you were special to him."

I felt a flutter of warmth at her words. "He did? I had no idea."

Karen sighed gently, her gaze thoughtful. "It's just unfortunate that Linc has always been so focused on his career. He's always wanted to work alongside his father and prove himself worthy. It's a lot of pressure for him, and it sometimes overshadows everything else."

I could see the concern in Karen's eyes, and it resonated with my own feelings. "It's hard, isn't it? Falling for a star," she said softly.

I smiled sadly, understanding the weight of her words. "Yes, it is. It's a challenge to navigate such a world where everything is constantly under the spotlight, and priorities are often skewed."

Karen nodded, her expression empathetic. "Linc's passion for his work is undeniable, but it does come at a cost. Sometimes, it's hard for him to balance everything, especially when he's driven by the need to gain his father's recognition."

We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the understanding between us bridging the gap of the years and the distance. It was strange to be sharing these personal insights with Linc's mother, but it felt oddly comforting.

As Karen and I continued our conversation, she began to open up more about her life and her relationship with Linc's father. There was a depth to her words that spoke of years of silent struggles and unspoken pain.

"You know, Sign," she began, her voice carrying a note of weariness, "Linc's father has never been by our side, not really. He was absent from Linc's life from the very beginning. It was a struggle, raising Linc on my own while trying to make ends meet."

I listened intently, sensing the weight of her words. "That sounds incredibly hard," I said softly.

Karen nodded, her gaze distant. "It was. But over time, I accepted my fate. I learned to live with the reality of our situation, even if it was far from what I had imagined. Linc grew up strong and determined, despite everything. But there's always been a part of me that holds a special place for his father, despite the pain."

Her eyes met mine, and I could see the sadness reflected in them. "It's not just the absence," she continued, her voice breaking slightly. "What hurts the most is knowing that Linc's father knew about him. He was aware of Linc's existence, but he never acknowledged him as his son. He never made any effort to be a part of his life."

Karen's voice quivered with emotion, and I could sense the hurt that lingered in her heart. "It pains me deeply that no one will ever truly know the truth of Linc's heritage, the fact that he was born from this complicated, bittersweet history. Linc's father made a choice to remain detached, and that choice will always be a part of our story, one that I can't change."

I reached out, placing a comforting hand on hers. "I'm so sorry, Karen. It's a heavy burden to carry, and I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you."

Karen offered a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Sign. It helps to share these feelings, to have someone understand, even if it's just a little bit. Linc has always been a remarkable person, and I hope he knows how much he means to me, regardless of the shadows of the past."

We shared a quiet moment, the weight of her words settling between us. It was clear that despite the pain and regret, Karen's love for her son was unwavering and deep. As we continued to talk, I felt a growing respect for the strength and resilience that had shaped Karen's life and her relationship with Linc.

"I'm glad we had this chance to talk," I said finally. "It's been a strange and emotional day, but having this connection with you has made it feel a bit more grounded."

Karen's smile was warm and reassuring. "I'm glad too, Sign. It's important to me that you feel welcome and appreciated. You're a remarkable person, and I'm happy we could finally meet."

As the evening continued, I found myself growing more comfortable with Karen and the rest of Linc's family. Despite the initial shock and emotional rollercoaster of the day, this unexpected reunion provided a sense of closure and connection that I hadn't anticipated.

I longed to share my own struggles with Karen, to connect over our shared experiences of raising children alone, but I couldn't bring myself to. The public drama with Juls was too raw, too complicated to explain. The truth behind it was something only I could truly understand, and the idea of opening up about it now felt overwhelming. I hoped to raise Ivy as well as Karen had raised Linc, but the thought of Linc never knowing about Ivy was a painful reminder of what had been lost.

Later, as night fell, Linc and I found a rare moment of solitude on the balcony of the rest house. The city lights below twinkled like distant stars, casting a gentle glow over us. I leaned against the railing, trying to calm the turmoil inside me. Linc joined me quietly, the space between us filled with unspoken words and shared history.

We started talking, and the conversation drifted to memories of the past. Linc's voice took on a nostalgic tone as he spoke. "Do you remember the first time we met? At your reunion with your college batchmates? You looked so different from how I'd imagined."

I nodded, the memory vivid in my mind. "Yes, I remember. We talked in that garden, and even though it was brief, it felt like a significant moment."

Linc smiled faintly. "And then, meeting you again at that café in your Halloween outfit. It was like fate had given us another chance."

There was something in Linc's eyes as he spoke, a mixture of regret and longing that made my heart ache. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in that shared space of memory and emotion.

"And then we met again after five years, on Valentine's Day," he added.

There was a charged silence between us, and the air seemed to grow thick with unspoken feelings. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the years apart and the unresolved longing seemed to converge. The world around us dimmed, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of intense emotion.

Suddenly, without warning, Linc closed the distance between us. His hand cupped my cheek gently, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. His eyes were filled with a mixture of regret and longing that made my heart ache. Before I could process what was happening, his lips found mine in a kiss that was both unexpected and electrifying.

The kiss was intense, filled with a desperate need that seemed to have built up over the years. It was as if Linc was trying to make up for all the lost time, to convey every unspoken word and feeling in that single, fervent embrace. His lips moved against mine with a tenderness that was both achingly sweet and overwhelmingly passionate. The kiss deepened, and I felt the world around us dissolve into a blur of sensation.

The warmth of his kiss, the fierce longing, and the tender affection all melded into one powerful, consuming moment. It was a kiss that spoke of past regrets, of what might have been, and of a love that had never truly disappeared. The intensity of it all left me breathless, my heart racing as I lost myself in the connection we once shared.

When the kiss finally ended, Linc pulled back slowly, his breath uneven and his expression a mixture of vulnerability and raw honesty. "The two months we spent together," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper, "felt like years. They meant the world to me."

His words cut through me, stirring up old wounds. "You were the one who broke up with me," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and sadness. "You chose your career over us."

Linc's gaze dropped, his face etched with pain and regret.

 The memories of his departure, the pain of his choice, and the lingering hope of what could have been surged back, leaving me with a raw, aching reminder of everything that had been lost. The intensity of our kiss had only amplified the realization of what might have been, deepening the ache in my heart.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away from him. The night air felt sharp against my face as I made my way to the edge of the balcony, my emotions swirling in a tumultuous storm. I needed to escape, to clear my head from the whirlwind of our past and the ache of the present.

As I made my way to the airport, the weight of the night's revelations and the emotional turbulence of the past few days seemed almost too heavy to bear. The cityscape blurred past me, but my mind was focused on memories that felt sharper than any reality I was facing.

I couldn't help but remember the conversation I'd had with Travis just before everything fell apart. Travis had been insistent, urging me not to tell Linc about my pregnancy. 

At the time, I had struggled with the decision, but in the end, I chose to follow my heart rather than Travis' advice. I needed Linc to know the truth, to understand the depth of what was happening in my life. I wanted him to be part of this new chapter, to share in the responsibility, to see that I wasn't just a fleeting part of his past but someone with whom he had a future.

But when Linc was finally discharged from the hospital and I had gathered the courage to share my news, he surprised me in the worst way possible. He had been recovering, and I had hoped for a moment of connection, a chance to bridge the gap between us. It was supposed to be a new beginning, a chance to reconcile our past and build something together.

Instead, Linc had looked at me with a cold, detached expression and said the words that would shatter my heart. "I have bigger plans for myself. I want to be a successful actor, and I need to focus on that right now. I can't be involved in this...not with everything I'm working toward."

His rejection felt like a brutal blow. The hopes and dreams I had harbored for us seemed to crumble in that moment. His ambition, his drive for success—something I had always admired about him—had become the very thing that drove us apart. I had wanted so much for us to be together, to share this journey of parenthood, but his decision left me standing alone, my heart breaking into pieces.

I knew it all started to go down when that man hit Linc's head with a bottle, leading him to the hospital. That violent incident was a catalyst, setting off a chain of events that would change everything. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was my fault, that somehow, I had contributed to this mess. How could I have anticipated that such a thing would happen? And how could I tell Linc about my pregnancy at a time when he was so focused on breaking up with me and pursuing his career? He was so determined to succeed, so unwilling to be distracted. I couldn't bring myself to add that burden to his already heavy load. That's why he never knew about Ivy.

In that moment, I knew I had to let go. I couldn't force him to be part of something he didn't want. And so, I decided to keep Ivy a secret, to protect her from the potential pain of a father who wasn't ready to embrace the role. It was a choice made out of necessity and heartbreak, but it left a hollow space in my heart that would never quite heal.

Now, as I approached the airport, the finality of everything settled over me like a shroud. The past was a tangled web of regrets and missed opportunities, and the future seemed uncertain. I glanced at the sky, feeling the weight of my choices and the consequences that followed. The journey I had envisioned—one of reconciliation, of making things right—had shifted into something far different, a path that was now fraught with loss and unresolved feelings.

He already left me once, and he could do that again. He should never know about Ivy. Not after I worked hard raising her all by myself. I took a deep breath, focusing on the horizon, hoping that amidst the pain and the past, there would still be a chance for healing and new beginnings.