"Mom, stop laughing, this isn't funny!" Ben said, dusting his hair, and that only made me laugh even more.
Today is friday, and for once, I decided not to go to work and Ben didn't have school today so I decided we should spen the day together.
After everything that happened yesterday… after seeing Justin… I just needed a break.
So I stayed home.
With Ben.
And right now, we are in the kitchen, baking chocolate chip cookies.
Well… trying to.
"Okay, okay," I said, trying to calm my laughter. "I admit it, maybe it's a little funny."
"A little?" Ben said, staring at me. "Mom, I look like a flour threw up on me"
That made me laugh again.
He had flour all over his hair, his face, even his shirt.
"I told you to be careful," I said, still smiling.
"I was careful!" he replied. "You're the one that started the flour fight."
I raised my brows. "Excuse me? You threw flour at me first."
He laughed. "Only a little."
"Yeah, right," I said, picking up my phone. "Come here, let me take a picture."
"What? No way!" he said quickly. "If my classmates see this, they'll call me flour boy forever."
"Don't worry," I said. "I'm not going to post it. It's just for memories."
He hesitated, then sighed. "Fine… but just one."
"Smile," I said, and clicked the camera.
We ended up taking more than one.
Actually… a lot more.
For a moment, everything felt light.
No stress.
No memories.
No Justin.
Just me and my son.
And honestly… I needed that.
After we finished baking, Ben went to his room to complete his assignments while I stayed behind to clean up.
As I was washing the dishes, the doorbell rang.
I wiped my hands quickly and went to open the door.
"Stacy?" I said, surprised.
"heyyy," she said, walking in with a smile.
I shook my head slightly, letting her in.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on you," she said. "And to make sure you're not overthinking everything again."
I sighed.
Too late for that.
She walked into the kitchen and looked around.
"Wow… you've been busy," she said, eyeing the cookies.
"Ben and I were baking," I replied.
"Without me?" she said dramatically. "I'm hurt."
I rolled my eyes. "You'll survive."
She laughed, then leaned against the counter.
"So… how are you really doing?" she asked.
I didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I busied myself with wiping the table.
"I'm fine," I said finally.
"Juliana," she said softly.
I stopped.
I sighed.
"I'm trying, Stacy… okay?" I said. "Seeing him again… it just brought everything back."
"I know," she said gently.
I shook my head. "I thought I was over it. I thought I had moved on. But the moment I saw him… it felt like everything just happened yesterday."
Stacy nodded slowly. "I understand you and I'm really sorry you have to go through this" "yh" I replied. Stacy then looked at me carefully chewing her lip. Something was bothering her "what is it" I asked "nothing" she denied and I raised my brows "it's just that I think you should accept the investment" she said and I satred at her dumbfounded "you know I won't do that" I replied " I know but you still have to think about the company," she said carefully.
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Not now, Stacy…"
"No, listen," she said. "I'm not saying you should forgive him. I'm just saying… don't let your past ruin your future."
I turned to face her.
"You want me to work with Justin?" I asked.
"I want you to think about what's best for your company," she replied.
I laughed dryly.
"You make it sound so easy."
"I know it's not," she said. "But this deal… it's really good, Julie. We need it."
I looked away.
Of course she was right.
That's what made it harder.
"But Justin…" I said quietly. "I can't just sit across from him like nothing happened."
"You don't have to," she said. "Keep it professional. Nothing more. You don't even need to attend those meetings I can do that for you"
I stayed silent.
My mind was already fighting itself.
Business.
Or my past.
"Just think about it," Stacy added softly.
"I will," I said, still unsure. Stacy and I talked for few hours and then i called Ben down for lunch. "Ben I made your favorite come fast" I said."Coming, Mom!" he replied.
A few seconds later, he came running down the stairs, still full of energy like always.
Stacy laughed. "Someone's excited."
"Of course I am," Ben said, taking his seat. "Mom said she made my favorite."
"I always make your favorite," I said, smiling as I served the food.
We all sat down and ate together.
For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Peaceful.
Like nothing had happened yesterday.
After lunch, Ben stretched and looked at me.
"Mom, can we watch a movie?"
I smiled. "Of course."
"Yay!" he said, rushing to set it up.
Stacy shook her head, smiling. "He's so cute."
"He knows how to get what he wants," I replied.
We settled in the living room, the three of us watching a movie together.
Somewhere in the middle of it, Ben leaned against me.
At first, I didn't notice.
Until I looked down and realized…
He had fallen asleep.
I smiled softly.
"Looks like someone couldn't stay awake," Stacy whispered.
"Yeah," I said quietly.
Carefully, I carried him in my arms and took him upstairs.
I laid him gently on the bed, brushing his hair back.
For a second… I just stood there, watching him.
My son.
My everything.
Then I kissed his forehead softly and left the room.
When I came back downstairs, Stacy was already standing with her bag.
"You're leaving?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I've stayed long enough."
I nodded.
"Thank you… for coming."
"Anytime," she replied, giving me a small smile. "And Julie… don't overthink things too much, okay? Just take it one step at a time."
I nodded again.
"I will."
She gave me a quick hug and then left.
The house became quiet again.
Too quiet.
I let out a small sigh and walked back into the living room.
Just as I sat down, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I frowned slightly.
For a moment, I hesitated.
Then I picked it up.
"Hello?" I said.
"Juliana…"
My heart skipped.
That voice.
I froze.
Justin.
Without thinking, I moved to end the call.
"Wait—please!" he said quickly. "Don't hang up."
I paused.
"I don't have anything to say to you," I said coldly.
"I know," he replied. "But please… just listen. Two minutes. That's all I'm asking."
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
"You don't get to ask me for anything, Justin."
"Please," he said again, softer this time.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Why was this so hard?
"…One minute," I said finally.
"Just one minute."
"Thank you," he said.
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"I want to see you," he said.
My eyes snapped open.
"What?"
"I think we need to talk. Face to face."
Something inside me snapped.
"Talk?" I repeated. "Now you want to talk?"
"Juliana—"
"No," I cut him off, my voice rising. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to walk back into my life and ask to talk like nothing happened!"
"Please, just—"
"Go screw yourself, Justin!" I shouted.
And I ended the call.
The phone slipped slightly in my hand.
My chest tightened.
And before I could stop it…
The tears came.
I sank into the couch, covering my face as everything I had been holding back finally broke loose.
Why now?
Why does he have to come back now?
I thought I was okay.
I thought I had moved on.
But clearly…
I was wrong. After some minutes I cleanedyslef up. I was done crying over Justin. I finished some work on my laptop and then decided to get some sleep.