That evening, Callum handled the entire bedtime routine.
He helped Kieran take his bath.
Packed his school backpack.
Read the familiar dinosaur story.
I didn’t interrupt or offer to take over.
When Kieran finally fell asleep, Callum stood near the refrigerator, studying the schedule I’d prepared.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he spoke softly.
“I made being his father sound like a job I could show up for whenever it fit my calendar.”
I stayed quiet.
He turned toward me.
“Things are over between Elena and me.”
For a split second, relief washed over me so powerfully that it almost hurt.
Part of me still wanted to believe we could return to the life we’d had before Friday.
Callum reached across the space between us and touched my hand.
I allowed it for a moment.
Then I gently pulled away.
“Why did you end the relationship?” I asked.
