Chapter 12
Bradley chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Good. Now, let’s talk about our deal. No more fighting the doctors, no more skipping your IV. A promise is a promise, right? You’re a man of your word, aren’t you? We even pinky-swore.”
Curtis hesitated, pouting, but finally nodded reluctantly. “Okay…”
Bradley glanced at Melissa, giving her a subtle signal. She understood immediately and crouched down beside Curtis. “Alright, sweetheart. Be good and let them finish your treatment, okay? I need to step out for a bit.”
Panic flashed in Curtis’s eyes. “No! Mommy, you can’t leave!”
He struggled to sit up, grabbing her sleeve. The sudden movement tugged at his IV line, causing the machine to beep. Bradley stepped in quickly, his tone firm but soothing. “Hey, calm down, buddy. She’ll stay until you fall asleep. Deal?”
Curtis looked to Melissa, his wide eyes silently pleading.
Melissa softened, giving him a reassuring smile. “Okay, sweetheart. I’ll stay. Close your eyes and get some rest now.”
28
Curtis let out a small, contented sigh, his tiny body curling instinctively closer to Melissa. His eyelids fluttered shut, the long day finally catching up to him. After raising all kinds of hell earlier, the kid had worn himself out and was out like a light.
Melissa carefully slipped her hand from his and stood up quietly, not wanting to wake him.
From across the room, Bradley sat sprawled on the sofa, laptop balanced on his knees. Without even glancing her way, he said flatly, “There’s a bed and some basic stuff in the lounge next door. Or, if you’d rather head home, the driver’s ready.”
Melissa blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
Finally, Bradley lifted his head and looked at her, his expression impassive. “Unless you’d prefer sleeping on the street.”
She froze. The jab stung, but he wasn’t wrong. With the little cash she had left, even a cheap motel was out of reach.
“I’ll stay here,” she said softly, biting back her pride.
Bradley’s gaze didn’t waver. His voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut. “And just so we’re clear-you don’t get to see him without my permission.”
Typical Bradley, always weighing the odds, always playing the long game. He knew Curtis’s tantrum earlier was just the tip of the iceberg. The kid wasn’t fully recovered yet, and Melissa was the only one who could keep him in line. Bradley needed her around-for now.
It was early evening when Curtis finally stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. The first thing he saw was Bradley, sitting nearby, his usual brooding expression in place.
“Where’s Mom?” he asked hesitantly, his voice small. “She looked upset earlier.”
Bradley didn’t sugarcoat it. “Her house got snatched.”
Curtis bolted upright, his eyes wide with disbelief. “What the hell?!”
Bradley raised an eyebrow at the outburst but continued, explaining Melissa’s situation in blunt, unvarnished terms. By the time he finished, Curtis was fuming, his little fists clenched tight. “I’m gonna find that jerk and teach him a lesson! Just watch
me!”
Bradley couldn’t help but chuckle. “You? Teach him a lesson? Kid, you’re still limping. Even if you could stand straight, what are you gonna do—bite his ankles?”
1/2
Chapter 12
Curtis glared at him, his face scrunching up in frustration. After a beat, his eyes lit up with an idea, and he pointed at Bradley. “Then you go teach him a lesson!”
Bradley leaned back, smirking. “And why the hell would I do that?”
Curtis opened his mouth, then closed it, struggling to come up with a good reason. His frustration deepened, and his face twisted into a pout.
Bradley saw his chance and leaned in, his voice low and coaxing. “Tell you what-we make a deal. I’ll take care of that scumbag for her, but you’ve gotta call me ‘Dad.””
Curtis froze, his little fists tightening. Calling Bradley “Dad” would mean giving in, and he wasn’t ready for that. But then his thoughts turned to Melissa-how tired she’d looked, how much she’d already been through.
‘If I don’t do something, who will?’ he thought.
Bradley shrugged, leaning back casually. “No skin off my back if you don’t agree. Let her keep getting pushed around. Not like it’s my mom who’ll end up homeless.”
Curtis’s chest tightened, his eyes stinging. He couldn’t let that happen. Not to her.
After a long, tense silence, he finally gave a stiff nod. “Fine. Deal.
Bradley’s smirk deepened. “Say it, then. Right now. Call me ‘Dad,’ and I’ll take care of it.”
Curtis’s mouth opened and closed, his voice caught in his throat. After what felt like forever, he finally muttered, “Dad…”
Bradley cupped his ear theatrically. “What was that? Didn’t quite catch it.”
Curtis’s face flushed red with frustration. For Melissa’s sake, he squared his shoulders and shouted, “Dad!”
