“What do you want?”she asks curtly.
“Gold said you told her Cameron went back to school yesterday,” I say.
She scoffs, shaking her head.“I told you yesterday—I don’t know where he is.”
“How are you okay with that?”My voice rises in frustration.“Okay with the fact that your only child is out there, alone, because of you?”
“You didn’t come here to judge me,” she snaps.
I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my emotions.“My mom really liked you, you know,” I start, my tone softer.“Yesterday, when I told her what happened, she couldn’t believe it.She spoke so highly of you—said you were kind, strong, someone she admired.But now?I’m disappointed.You’re not the person she thought you were.”
Jane’s lips tighten, her eyes narrowing.
“Do you know what Cameron says about you?”I continue.“He’s always talking about how much he admires you—how you taught him everything he knows about cooking and baking.He loves you, Mrs.Brooke.But you—” I pause, my voice breaking slightly.“You failed him.He needed you to love him, to protect him when the world turned its back on him.And instead, you joined them.You kicked him out.You disowned him.”
Her eyes glisten, but she stays silent.
“What did you expect me to do?”she finally whispers, her voice trembling.
“To be his mother,” I say simply.“To love him unconditionally, to accept him.That’s not hard.But instead, you made him question if you ever really cared about him at all.”
Tears spill down her cheeks.“I am his mother,” she says, her voice breaking.
“Then act like it,” I say firmly.“Cameron needs a mother who loves him for who he is—not for who you want him to be.He’s still your son, Jane.He hasn’t changed.He’s the same boy who admired you, who wanted to make you proud.The only thing that’s changed is your perspective.”
“This is wrong,” she says, shaking her head.“The Bible forbids it.I love my son, but waking up to find out he’s… like this… It’s hard to take in.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Cameron,” I reply.“And there’s nothing hard about accepting your son for who he is.”
She looks away, biting her lip.“The Bible says it’s a sin.”
I shrug.“The Bible also says to love one another and not to judge.Cameron taught me that.He deserves your love and support, not your rejection.”
Her shoulders slump as she sobs into her hands.“I just wanted him to be happy,” she says through her tears.“To go to college, marry a nice girl, have kids—”
“That’s still possible,” I interrupt.
She looks at me, confused.“What?”
“If kids are what you’re worried about, there are options,” I say.
She stares at me in disbelief.“You’re talking about surrogacy?”
I shrug.“Why not?”
Jane lets out a shaky laugh, then sighs heavily.“I can’t believe this.”
I glance at the clock on the wall.“I think my five minutes are up,” I say, stepping toward the door.“I hope you think about what I’ve said.Cameron deserves better than this.”
She doesn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the floor.As I leave the bakery, I can only hope my words left some kind of impact.Cameron deserves a mother who loves him—not someone who pushes him away.
I shove one hand deeper into my jacket pocket as I step outside, letting the cool air hit my face.The soft hum of the bakery behind me fades as I glance back briefly, imagining Cameron behind the counter where Gold stands.I can almost see him there, flashing his billion-dollar smile, his golden blonde hair catching the light, and those dorky glasses that always make my heart skip a beat.
The thought warms me for a second before my phone—Lexi’s phone—buzzes against my palm.Hastily, I pull it out, unlocking it with shaky fingers.My heart nearly leaps out of my chest when I see the sender.
FROM CAMERON:I’m at the cabin.Come over.
For a moment, I freeze, staring at his name on the screen as a huge smile spreads across my face.Relief washes over me like a wave.He’s safe.He wants to see me.
