CHAPTER 61: AUNT RACHEL?

Timothy’s little face scrunched stubbornly, his lips jutting forward in that way Bella knew meant he wouldn’t back down easily. "But Mama," he whined softly, "I just want to know his name. Please?"

Bella opened her mouth, ready to snap at him again, when Jake crouched down once more, his eyes twinkling. "It’s alright," he said gently, cutting off Bella’s protest. "My name is Jake."

Timothy’s face brightened instantly, his small teeth showing in a wide grin. "Jake," he repeated, testing it like it was the most important word in the world. Then he giggled, clapping his hands once. "Wow. Jake.... it’s easy to call!"

Jake chuckled, watching the pure joy on the child’s face while wondering why he was feeling this connected to him. It was an unexplainable connection.

Bella watched them and her chest constricted. The ease of it. The way Jake was already weaving himself into Timothy’s little world without even realizing it. It was too natural, too effortless. And all she could think was—what if he knew? What if he realized the truth that connected them? What would he do? She must have asked herself this question a million times.

Jake chuckled, ruffling Timothy’s hair like it was the most normal thing in the world. "And what’s your name, buddy?" he asked even though he already knew it from Bella.

Timothy puffed up with pride, standing straighter as though this was a very official moment. "Timothy. But you can call me Timmy. That’s what Mommy calls me."

Bella stiffened. Her hand twitched at her side, aching to cover Timothy’s mouth before he said something else that could tip Jake closer to the edge of discovery.

"Timothy," Jake repeated, nodding approvingly. "That’s a strong name. Fits you perfectly."

The boy beamed, practically glowing. "Thanks! Mama picked it."

Jake smiled warmly. "Well, she made a good choice," he said, wondering if it was Bella Timothy was referring to.

Bella’s throat tightened. He didn’t even know how deep that statement cut.

Timothy wasn’t finished though. His wide eyes lifted eagerly to Jake’s. "So... can we really go out with you? Please? Please, Mama? He asked, and I want to go!"

Bella’s stomach twisted violently. No. Absolutely not. She couldn’t let them spend another second together. It was already too much that they were talking this way and getting along. But when she opened her mouth, nothing came out.

Jake, still crouched, tilted his head toward her, his tone softer now. "Bella, it doesn’t have to be anything big. We could just grab ice cream or something. I don’t mind, and I think he’d enjoy it."

Timothy bounced excitedly, his little hands clasped together in hope. "Please, Mama! Just ice cream. I’ll be really good!"

Bella’s heart thudded painfully against her ribs. She couldn’t breathe. The image was too sharp in her mind: Jake laughing beside Timothy, Timothy’s innocent joy, the two of them connected in a way she couldn’t deny. And all without knowing the truth.

If this was how easily they clicked without knowledge, what would happen when Jake finally learned Timothy was his son? Would he be furious? Would he hate her for hiding it? Or would he take Timothy away? That thought alone nearly broke her.

"Bella?" Jake’s voice tugged her from her spiraling thoughts. His gaze was calm, patient, but curious—like he could sense her hesitation.

She forced her lips into something resembling a smile. "I don’t know..."

Timothy tugged at her towel, eyes pleading. "Mama, please."

Her heart fractured at his voice.

Before she could summon another excuse, the sound of a door opening drew all their attention.

Rachel stepped into the hall, towel pressed against her damp hair, her work clothes clinging to her frame. She blinked at the sight before her—Jake standing tall in the doorway, Bella wrapped in a towel looking tense, and Timothy practically bouncing at Jake’s side.

Her brows shot up. "You?"

Bella’s stomach dropped. Of course. She should’ve known. If Jake had already run into Timothy at the playground, then Rachel would’ve seen him too. Why didn’t Rachel tell her anything? She thought, giving Rachel the look that says, ’we have alot of talking to do!’

Jake’s eyes lit in recognition, his expression warming instantly. "You were with him that day, right?" he asked, thinking that it made sense she was Timothy’s mother.

Rachel gave a small nod, her lips parting in surprise. "Yes. At the playground."

He chuckled, his tone friendly. "Small world, huh? I didn’t expect to see you here. Or that you were Bella’s sister."

Bella’s head throbbed. She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

Rachel tilted her head, her sharp eyes flicking between Bella and Jake. "And I never knew you knew my sister," she murmured, suspicion flickering faintly in her gaze before she smoothed it over with a polite smile.

Jake glanced at Timothy, then back at Rachel. "Yeah. I’m her boss. Your son, he’s a great kid. Very bright. You must be proud."

Rachel blinked, caught off guard. Her eyes flicked quickly toward Bella, who stood frozen, her pulse screaming in her ears. But Rachel, always sharp, always reading the unspoken, simply gave a small polite smile. "Yes."

Why was he thinking Timothy was her son and he was Bella’s boss? Doesn’t that make him Timothy’s biological father? Perhaps Bella had lied. Rachel thought, her head spinning from too much thoughts.

Rachel’s lips curved faintly, though her eyes lingered on Bella a second longer than they should have. "I am. Very," she added.

Bella could practically hear the questions forming in her sister’s mind, but thankfully Rachel didn’t ask them—not yet. Instead, she sighed and looked at her watch. "I’m running late for work. I really should go."

Timothy pouted, tugging on her hand briefly. "Bye, Aunt Rachel!" he chirped.

Jake’s brows knit together slightly, confusion flickering across his face. Aunt? He glanced between them—between the child who had just called Bella ’Mama,’ the woman who had claimed to be his mother, and the oddly quiet Bella clinging to her towel like it was armor.

Something didn’t quite add up.

Rachel, catching the subtle change in his expression, leaned down to kiss Timothy’s forehead. "Be good, okay?" she said softly before straightening and grabbing her bag.

With one last curious glance at Bella—one that promised a thousand unspoken questions later—she slipped past Jake and hurried out the door.