Revan fell silent. His jaw was still clenched, his eyes red not just from anger, but from a wound that couldn't be seen, hidden behind that sharp gaze. Slowly, he bowed his head, looking down at the baby nursing peacefully in Leana's arms.
"I … never meant to hurt you, Leana," he finally said, his voice softer than before. "I just … didn't know how to face it all. Maria, this child … and you."
Leana's gaze remained cold. "You said I didn't know anything. Then give me the chance to know. I don't want any more secrets, Revan. If I'm going to be here, nursing this child every day, then I deserve to know what really happened."
Revan lifted his head and looked at her, as if searching for courage in her eyes.
"Maria … wasn't the wife you imagined," he finally admitted, voice low but steady. "She … hid many things from me. Even up to the night before she … left."
Leana waited, her heart thudding wildly. There was something in Revan's voice that made her chest tighten.
"Sean, isn't my biological son."
Leana froze. Her eyes widened, lips parting in shock.
"I've known since before Sean was born. But I accepted him. I wanted to be a father, even if he wasn't mine by blood." Revan bowed his head, fists clenched. "But when I found out who his real father is, that's what shattered everything."
Leana opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. In the silence, Sean continued to suckle gently, as if sensing the heavy tension in the room.
"Who?" she finally managed, her voice barely a whisper.
Revan shook his head slowly. "You'll find out, someday. But not now." Then he stood and walked to the window, looking out as if to calm himself.
Leana stroked Sean's head gently. Her thoughts raced. There was pity, anger, confusion, but also, something else growing inside her for the man before her. Revan was hurting. But he had also hurt her.
"Revan …," she called softly.
He turned to look at her, his eyes weary. Leana continued, "I don't know how to feel right now. But I'm here … not just for Sean. I'm here because I need something to hold on to. Just like you."
Revan said nothing, but the look in his eyes grew calmer.
"You can hold me, if that's what keeps you alive," Leana added. "But don't kiss me just because you're falling apart."
He looked at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. From now on, I'll keep my distance, if that's what you need."
Leana offered a faint smile. "All I need is honesty. And maybe, a little courage for both of us. To stop hurting each other, even when we're broken."
Sean stopped nursing. His eyes opened, glancing between the two adults as if sensing the unfinished story in the air.
Leana held the baby close, looking at Revan. And in silence, they both knew: this wasn't over. But for now… they would endure.
Revan stepped out of the room, leaving Leana with the child. His phone rang.
After soothing Sean and putting him to sleep again, Leana sat at the edge of the bed. Her gaze was lost in the morning light pouring through the window. Her eyes felt heavy not from physical exhaustion, but from fragments of the past resurfacing one by one.
She remembered the night she lost her baby. Cold, silent, and filled with regret. She had blamed herself. If only she had been stronger, if only she could have endured the pain would her baby still be alive? But all that remained was a hollow emptiness buried deep inside her chest.
And now, she sat in a room that wasn't hers, nursing a child that wasn't her flesh and blood, with a man who used to be just a friend now treading the edges of her fragile heart.
A soft knock broke her thoughts. Revan appeared again. His face was calmer, though emotion still lingered beneath the surface.
"I'm sorry," he said from the doorway. "I had to take an important call."
Leana simply nodded. She didn't want to argue. But her silence didn't mean full forgiveness, nor did it excuse his earlier impulse to kiss her.
"I'll try to be better," Revan added, stepping closer but stopping near the bed.
"I just want you to be honest, Revan. That's all," Leana finally said. "I've lived too long surrounded by lies. From my mother, from the father of my baby… and now from Maria, and you. I'm tired."
Revan looked at her for a long moment, then sat on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed. The position made them equal, able to speak and listen without dominance.
"Maria … she wasn't the woman you used to know. After we got married, she changed. Always anxious, easily upset. Then one day she got pregnant, and I … I was happy. But that happiness was never truly mine."
"Why did you stay with her?" Leana asked softly.
"Because I loved her. Once," Revan answered honestly. "But that love slowly died, Leana. And when Sean was born… all I saw was pain. Not hope."
Leana swallowed. Her hand slowly moved to her belly flat now, but the memory of what once was still lingered. Emotional and physical wounds that hadn't fully healed.
"Then, why me?" she murmured.
Revan turned to her. "Because you're the one who's still here. And because you're the only one who's ever brought me peace. Even back then."
Leana gasped. His words struck her like a gentle blow. She didn't know whether to feel flattered, or afraid of where this might lead.
"I don't want to be your escape, Revan."
"And I don't want you to be that either," he replied quickly. "I just, want you here. Not because of Sean. But because I feel alive when you're around."
Leana took a deep breath. Her eyes stung. Not from pain but because, for the first time, she felt wanted. Not for her role as a mother. Not for her body. But for herself.
"You need time, Revan. And so do I," she said at last. "Don't force anything. Let this grow, slowly."
Revan nodded. "Alright. But one thing, Leana … ."
"What is it?"
"Don't leave."
Leana didn't answer right away. Her eyes met his, so sincere and vulnerable. She wanted to speak, but her voice caught in her throat.
Instead, she stood, then walked slowly toward him, kneeling before where he sat. She looked straight into his eyes.
"I won't leave. But don't make me regret staying," she said softly.
Revan looked at her, then nodded. "I promise."
Leana tried to smile. She gazed at that face still as handsome as it had been back then. Not much had changed, and that face had always lived in her mind whenever she was exhausted and broken. Was it wrong for her to think that maybe… this was her second chance to be close to Revan, after sacrificing her feelings ten years ago?
"Revan, may I hug you?" she whispered. Her heart, once numb, stirred again for this man. There was no way she could truly forget her first love.
Revan only nodded, arms opening wide. Without hesitation, Leana rushed into his embrace, inhaling the familiar
scent that still lingered on his body a scent that brought her a peace only Revan had ever given her.