The Son I Left Behind Called Me Mommy Chapter 08

The Son I Left Behind Called Me Mommy Chapter 08

Coop called me to invite me to his birthday party. 

“You have to be there, okay? I invited so many friends just to 

see you.” 

He reminded me a dozen times, “And remember to wear the ruby cocktail dress I bought for you! I used all my New Year’s 

money for that!” 

I laughed and promised I would. 

After we finished talking, I tried to sound casual as I brought up Callan. 

“Where’s your dad?” 

Coop thought I needed him for something important and immediately started yelling, “Dad! Mommy wants you!” before shoving the phone into Callan’s hand. 

I still hadn’t given Callan an answer to the question he asked in the study. 

I’d told him I needed time to think, and I was still stuck. 

I forced myself to speak. “Coop invited me to his party. Is it okay if I come?” 

The party was being held at Silver Shores, the family’s estate, and the guest list included his parents‘ high–society friends. 

Callan’s voice sounded slightly distorted through the receiver. He gave a soft, gentle hum. “If you’re not there, Maya, there’s really no point in anyone else coming.” 

“But your parents…” I didn’t want to cause a scene on Coop’s birthday. It was better to clear the air now. 

“Maya,” Callan said, his voice dropping into a rare, serious 

tone. 

“Yeah?” 

“I’m the one running the family now. You don’t need to worry 

about any of that.” 

He paused, then added, “Besides, my mother already had 

your room cleaned and ready.” 

I arrived at Silver Shores in the dress Coop had picked out. 

The moment I stepped inside, the buzzing conversations died down, and every pair of eyes in the room swung toward 

1. me. 

Coop looked like a little prince today. 

When he saw me, his eyes lit up. 

He sprinted over and dragged me toward his group of 

friends. 

“Look! This is my mommy! Isn’t she beautiful?” 

The children chirped their hellos, but the adults were a different story. They exchanged subtle, questioning glances. 

Then, Mrs. Vance walked over. She took my arm and turned 

me toward the crowd. 

“Everyone, this is Maya Byers. She is Coop’s mother.” 

The tension broke instantly, and people began stepping 

forward to greet me. 

Later, while the lights were dimmed for the cake, Callan 

caught me off guard. He quietly pulled me away into the 

garden. 

“Wait, Coop is about to make his wish.” 

“Don’t worry,” Callan said, not at all concerned about his son. “Can’t you tell he’s having the time of his life? He won’t even notice we’re gone.” 

I looked around the unfamiliar garden. “Why did you bring me out here?” 

Callan produced a small cake out of nowhere. 

I watched, stunned, as he placed a party hat on my head and lit a single candle. 

He held the cake up to my face. “You should make a wish today, too.” 

The candlelight made my eyes sting. 

After a long moment, I closed my eyes and folded my hands. 

[First wish: I hope everyone I love stays healthy and lives a long life.] 

[Second wish: I hope I can keep moving forward and stop 

being trapped in the past.] 

As soon as I blew out the candle, I tried to rush back, 

worried Coop would be waiting. 

But the little guy had played too hard. He was already 

exhausted and had been taken upstairs by the nanny. 

As the guests began to filter out, I picked up my bag to 

leave. 

“I’ll drive you,” Callan said. 

“No, it’s fine. You should stay here with Coo-” 

“Let him drive you,” Mrs. Vance interrupted, appearing behind 

1. us. 

When we both turned to look at her, she rubbed the tip of 

her nose awkwardly. 

“It’s not safe for a girl to be out alone this late,” she 

muttered, clearing her throat. 

“And if you don’t mind, I’ve had the housekeeper ready a 

room for you. You’re welcome to stay.” 

I opened my mouth to speak but looked at Callan instead. 

He walked over, put an arm around his mother’s shoulders, 

and whispered, “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.” 

She swatted his hand away and grumbled as she headed 

upstairs, “Ugh, so sappy.” 

Once she was gone, Callan jerked his chin toward the stairs. 

A silent question: Staying? 

I thought about it for a second and nodded. “Okay.” 

Callan had to fly to the West Coast for a week on business, 

so I moved into the estate to look after Coop. 

Coop showed absolutely zero heartbreak over not seeing his 

father for seven days. “Don’t hurry back, Daddy!” 

Callan was annoyed, but he still patiently went over the 

safety rules with him. 

It wasn’t actually that much work; Coop was at school during 

the day, and by the time I got home from the office, the 

housekeeper had everything handled. 

I just played with him and tucked him in. 

One night, after Coop finished a video call with Callan, he 

pressed the phone into my hand. “Daddy wants you.” 

I waited until I heard his bedroom door close before putting 

the phone to my ear. “What’s up?” 

Callan sounded exhausted. “Just wanted to hear your voice.” 

I teased him. “Is my voice some kind of miracle cure? One listen and the fatigue disappears?” 

“Maybe it is,” he sighed, sounding more relaxed. 

We chatted for a while, and then the conversation trailed off. Neither of us hung up. 

We just sat there, listening to each other breathe. 

Suddenly, a soft tap hit the glass. 

Rain began to streak down the floor–to–ceiling windows. I touched the cool glass. 

“It’s raining in Oakhaven.” 

Callan stood against the blue–tinted windows of his office, his reflection ghosting over the glass. “Yeah. Wait for me to 

get back.” 

“Stay warm.” 

Callan returned on a Sunday. 

I had been playing with Coop in the living room, and we’d 

eventually crashed on the sofa. 

When Callan pushed the door open, suitcase in hand, he 

found us passed out. 

I was asleep on the cushions with Coop curled up in my 

arms. 

Toys were scattered everywhere, the room a total mess. 

The house had never been this chaotic. 

But Callan thought it had never looked better.