I Just Can’t Say Goodbye - Chapter 24：She Never Said, "I Love You"

Jia woke up late the following morning, just in time to prepare Jian for school. Jim called up few minutes later as his daily routine to check them out.

” Daddy Jim, are you lonely out there? I miss you so much!”

” I miss you and mommy so badly! ” Jim pouted as though he was crying but quickly smiled afterwards.

“Daddy Anthon will come later on to bring me lunch!”

Hearing this, Jia frowned, being surprised. She, then, remembered that the two had their date yesterday.

“Oh, that’s good. So finally, you have met your real dad. But, I will always be your most real dad. Isn’t that good that you have two dads? ”

His eyes went over Jia as she was busy fixing Jian’s school uniform. Once in a while, she glanced over the monitor to smile at him.

Jia did not hide anything from him. It was Jim, in the first place, who let her go home and face Anthon. He believed in the right of a child to his father as a duty of man to God.

Yes, he was very scared that this meeting with Anthon would take Jia away from him but he was already prepared to set her free. He could never imagine the pain if ever his greatest fear would ever happen but he didn’t want to take anything that he did not own.

His thoughts flew back to the day when they revealed the truth to the child. They were in a park after watching a family movie. After running around for a while, Jian tugged at his arm asking him to do a “horsey-horsey” with him.

“Just like what they did in a movie, dad! The boy had a “horsey – horsey”

with his dad!”

“Sure! But after that, mommy and daddy has something to tell you. Come on! ”

Jim quickly squatted down as Jian hopped on to his neck. After few rounds, Jim got out of breath while Jian was laughing with sheer excitement.

“Daddy, what is it that you are going to tell me? ” Jim was surprisingly fascinated at his perfect memory.

He looked at Jia who was obviously nervous. They, then , stared at each others eyes, silently arguing who would do the explaining. Then, Jia stepped in and took the courage.

“Baby, the moment mommy knew that you were in her tummy, she was with your real dad.” She spoke as a second person to emphasize it in a way a child can understand.

“And that is daddy Anthon. But, mommy left him to work for daddy Jim. That’s why daddy Jim is also your daddy.”

“Daddy Anthon loves you so much. Only that, you have not seen him yet. Daddy Jim was always around when mommy’s tummy became big until you came out and until today.” Jim further explained.

” Daddy Anthon is your real dad while you are daddy Jim’s son by heart. ” Jia finished the topic.

Jian’s eyes glowed and seemed confused. But suddenly he lit up and exclaimed, “When will I see daddy Anthon? Will he play horsey – horsey with me, too? ” His eyes glowed further in excitement.

” Soon, baby! ” Jim answered softly.

He was suddenly brought back to his senses when he heard the sound of their doorbell.

“Baby, it must be daddy Anthon! ” Jim caught up the boy’s attention to the buzzing sound.

Jian hastily loosened up from Jia’s grip and ran to the door. He jumped in excitement as he saw Anthon, indeed, with a box of food in his hand.

“Daddy Anthon! He hurriedly flung himself to him while Anthon stooped down to carry him in his other arm.

” Daddy Jim, you are right. It’s daddy! ” His grin reached over his ears, happy that Jim just made a correct guess.

Anthon realized that they were in a video call with Jim, Jia’s husband or fiancee? He had someone checked her CENOMAR, and the result was clear that it was indeed a certificate of no marriage. Or, perhaps, they were just living in together?

Jia was tensed. She suddenly wanted to run and hide. She saw clearly the discomfort and jealousy in Anthon’s eyes.

But Jim played so well his perfect display of sportsmanship.

“Hi, daddy Anthon! Jian must be so impatient waiting for you! He can’t wait to have a horsey – horsey with you! ” Jim said with a big smile to Anthon.

“Call me Jim, Jim Wayne. Nice to meet you. ” He casually said while maintaining a smile.

Without waiting for his answer, he went on.

“Okay son, I’ll leave the three of you. Be good, daddy loves you. ” Jim called over Jian who busied himself in opening the box.

” Bye, dad!” Jian waved a goodbye sign and a sweet, flying kiss.

“Until next, Anthon. Bye, for now.”

Anthon nodded with a forced smile.

“Bye, sweetheart. Call me when you’re free.” Jim’s gaze was then turned to Jia.

“I will. Love you.”

A bit surprised, he stared at Jia for a moment, as if unsure if he really heard it right. Jia never said, “I love you.”

“Love you more, sweetheart.”

Jim’s last statement was a truth. A truth that pierced into Anthon’s heart.