Chapter 62

~ Octavia ~

I decided to spend my weekend at the one place that had always felt like a reset button for my soul: St. Mary’s Orphanage. It had been years since my last visit—my twenty-third birthday, to be exact—and stepping through those wrought-iron gates felt like coming home.

The sunlight filtered through the stained glass in the foyer, and the distant, melodic sound of children’s laughter pulled a genuine smile from my face for the first time in weeks. I clutched a bag overflowing with toys and snacks, determined to leave the shadows of the Flemington-Harrington war at the gate.

Mother Superior met me in the hall, her expression as serene as ever. "My, my, Octavia. It has been far too long." She took my hands in hers, her eyes twinkling. "We are so grateful for your heart, dear."

"I’ve missed this place, Mother," I whispered.

We spent the afternoon distributing the gifts. Seeing the children’s faces light up was a better tonic than any therapy. Later, Mother Superior and I took a slow walk through the gardens.

"Why have you stayed away so long, my child?" she asked softly as we sat on a weathered wooden bench under an ancient oak.

I took a deep breath, watching a butterfly land on a nearby rosebush. "I needed space, Mother. To figure out...life." I let out a hollow chuckle. "I married Franklin Flemington, and then... I left. I didn’t feel worthy of that kind of life, and I needed to save my own sanity."

"Oh, dear child." She made the sign of the cross, her fingers grazing her rosary. "I am sorry to hear of your struggle."

"It’s okay. Being here, seeing their smiles—it reminds me of what actually matters."

Our conversation was interrupted by Sister Margaret, who informed the Mother Superior of a visitor in the office. After a warm parting, I headed back to the field to play with the children.

"These toys are amazing, Octavia!" Jack shouted, holding up a plastic dinosaur.

"And I love the easel!" Stacy, a quiet, timid girl, added with a shy beam.

"That’s because you’re going to be a world-famous artist one day, Stacy," I told her, tickling her stomach until she dissolved into giggles.

"What about me? I’m going to be a pilot!" Tommy chimed in.

"I believe in all of you," I said, my heart feeling lighter than it had in months. "Every single one of you is going to make me proud."

We moved to the playground, but as I turned, my heart did a violent somersault.

Walking across the grass toward us was Mother Superior—and beside her, looking impossibly sharp in a charcoal suit, was Franklin. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I stood up abruptly, brushing the grass from my skirt. I wanted to scream, but the presence of the children and the holiness of the ground kept my tongue in check.

"Look who has arrived," Mother Superior said, her gaze moving between us.

She leaned in, lowering her voice so the children wouldn’t hear. "Whatever is between you two, leave it at the gate. Do not let these little ones see the cracks."

"We understand, Mother," Franklin said. It was the first time he’d spoken, and his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Once she left, I turned on him. "Are you stalking me now? First my apartment, now here?"

"Hardly," he replied coolly. "I had no idea you’d be here. My company is sponsoring a new education initiative for the parish. I came to check on the progress and see the children before I left."

"So that means it’s a coincidence that we met here? Really?" I folded my arms.

"That’s what I’m calling it."

Before I could retort, two children came sprinting past us in a game of tag. One of them accidentally collided with my hip, sending me stumbling backward. I braced for the impact of the ground, but it never came.

Franklin caught me. One hand went to my waist, the other cradled the back of my head. For a heartbeat, the world stopped. I looked up into his eyes and, for the first time, the ice was gone. They were warm, blue, and terrifyingly welcoming.

"I’ve got you, are you okay?," he whispered.

I snapped out of the trance, quickly pulling away and smoothing my clothes. "I’m fine."

The tension was thick enough to choke on, but the children didn’t notice.

A little girl tugged on my sleeve, looking back and forth between us. "Are you two husband and wife?" she asked innocently.

I opened my mouth to say no, to explain we were separated, but Franklin beat me to it. He smiled gently at her.

"As a matter of fact, we are. What gave us away?"

"You have the look," they giggled. "The look of being in love."

My face burned. They don’t know, I thought bitterly. They don’t know it’s all a lie.

"You’re far too young to be experts on love," Franklin chuckled. He then surprised me by shedding his suit jacket and running into the field, chasing the children like a playful monster. They scattered, squealing in delight.

I watched him. I watched the way he handled them with genuine care and patience. He was good with them — effortlessly so.

Eventually, the sisters led the children away to the cafeteria for the snacks I’d brought. It was time for me to go.

"I’m leaving," I said, adjusting my bag.

"Let me give you a ride," Franklin offered, catching his breath.

"I have my own car, but thanks." I began walking toward the gate, my pace quickening with every step.

I didn’t look back, but I could feel his gaze on me—heavy, intense, and leaving a knot in my chest that I knew wouldn’t untie for a long, long time. I wondered if he was truly changing or if this was just another layer of his elaborate performance, a thought that haunted me as I drove away from the only peace I had found.