Babies' Secret: My Ex Wants Me Back!
Chapter 23: Meet Aaron

Chapter 23: Meet Aaron

Chapter 23

The hallway filled with nurses coming and going out of the room, carrying clipboards with them, as Katherine rested her head in her cupped hands, sitting at the waiting area—adjacent to the treatment room. Katherine’s eyes stung from exhaustion, yet her body couldn’t find rest. Not yet, not when her daughter was inside that room—undergoing treatment.

These past hours had been a huge rollercoaster for her, and the reality of everything began to sink into her.

She quickly glanced at Aaron, who was resting with his eyes closed like he was in a deep sleep as his body leaned against the back seat. The nurse had come earlier and told him to take a rest because of the blood.

Katherine moved her eyes to the door, seeing Jasmine lay still, her tiny chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. An IV drip hung beside her bed. Her bandaged head rested gently against the pillow. She swallowed thickly, watching the doctors move around her daughter as they ran checks and began the treatment. It was finally happening.

"It’s a success," the nurse mouthed, and Katherine didn’t realize how hard she’d been holding her breath until the nurse smiled and she sighed in relief. She clutched her chest, the weight pressing her down finally lifting. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision, but this time, they weren’t of despair.

It worked.

And all because of him.

Aaron.

His blood had saved Jasmine.

The doctors came out of the room, removing the used gloves. "The transfusion is a success. Her vitals are improving steadily, and she’s now stable," he informed her, and Katherine nodded. "You can go in to check on her, but please don’t disturb the patient."

As if Aaron had been waiting for the doctor to come out, he stood from his resting position and walked closer, his sleeves rolled and his arm bandaged. His eyes met with Katherine’s own—his gaze softened before turning to the doctor. "Thank you."

With his gaze, Katherine felt her heart thump in acknowledgment. Aaron had helped her. She felt relieved yet not relaxed, because underneath that help were conditions. Conditions she had to accept because she owed him now. Without him, this wouldn’t have been successful.

Katherine hated how her heart fluttered foolishly when she remembered the way his voice had softened, the warmth of his hand on her back, the tenderness in his gaze when she broke down earlier. The relief she felt that he was here.

Damn him.

Aaron moved closer to her, which pulled her out of her thoughts as she smiled sheepishly at him. She hated how her heart skipped now. Seeing him closely now, she noticed how pale he looked. "How are you feeling?" she inquired softly, watching him with worried eyes.

Aaron shrugged, stuffing one hand into his pocket. "Good."

Katherine looked down, her fingers fidgeting. "The transfusion... it worked. The doctors said Jasmine’s responding well." She didn’t know why she had to relay the message to him; she was very sure he heard the doctor earlier and he even thanked him. She cringed internally.

It was awkward.

Surprise flickered across Aaron’s face, and his shoulders slumped slightly. "Good," he breathed.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Aaron nodded, and everything fell silent between them. For a moment, they simply stood there, two people bound by something deeper than just a past—but by blood, by their child.

But the moment was short-lived.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Matthew appeared, holding a bottle of water. He looked at Aaron, then at Katherine, his gaze sharp but unreadable before shooting Katherine a small smile.

Katherine, in between the two men, could feel brooding tension in the air and sighed.

"Matty," she called gently, moving toward him, while Aaron turned fully. His face was still, with no expression, as he took a slow step forward.

"This is Aaron Knight," Katherine said, glancing between both men as she gestured to Aaron. "He’s the twins’ biological father."

The air seemed to still for a moment. Matthew’s eyes narrowed just a little, flickered to Aaron as his jaw tensed, before his lips curved into a polite smile.

"Ah," he said simply, giving a short nod. "Nice to finally meet you." He intentionally said that he knew Aaron. Aaron was every young man’s motivation. At just a young age, he’d become a world sensation. And he also knew him as the guest in his hotel but not as the kids’ father. Matthew was finally meeting the reason for Katherine’s cries, pain, and being closed off.

Aaron raised a brow at the comment—it felt like sarcasm to him—but offered his hand anyway. "Likewise."

The handshake was brief yet firm. Neither of them smiled as their eyes seemed to size each other up, each posture controlled and sharp.

Katherine cleared her throat, breaking the tension between the two men. "Matthew," she started, "has been... he’s been there. Through everything," she said. She didn’t know why she was saying this. Maybe to let Aaron know there was nothing between her and Matthew or something else—she just had to clear things up not to have any misunderstanding.

"I can imagine," Aaron commented flatly, while Matthew said nothing. Katherine wetted her lips. She knew it would be awkward, but she didn’t expect it to be this awkward.

She cleared her throat, rubbing her hands together. "I’ll take you to see Hanith now," she said.

"Where is he?" Aaron asked, his eyes softened at his name.

"He’s in the waiting area. He doesn’t know yet." Katherine smiled a little, unsure.

"Okay," he nodded slowly.

The three of them walked down the hallway in silence. The soft beeping of machines, murmured doctor conversations, and the occasional squeak of nurses’ shoes filled the otherwise quiet space.

As they entered the small waiting lounge, Hanith was there, curled up on the couch with a blanket over his lap and a coloring book in his hand, his eyes fixated on the book. He looked so small there—so vulnerable.

"Baby," she called his attention softly.

Hanith looked up, his voice sounded tired. "Mommy?"

"Yes, my boy," she answered, caressing his hair.

"Is Jasmine okay?" he asked in a small broken voice.

"She’s stable, sweetheart," Katherine said softly, walking over to him. She crouched, brushing back his curly hair gently. "She’s going to be fine."

Hanith nodded slowly, but his eyes shifted to Aaron, who was standing behind his mother.

As a cue, Aaron crouched slowly beside Katherine, not too close, not too far. "Hey, buddy," he said gently. This wasn’t different from the times he talked to him without knowing Hanith was his child. Hanith looked at him, eyes widening slightly.

Katherine, seeing his expression, said, "Baby," gently. "This man here..." she glanced at Aaron, who stood still, quiet. "This is your father."

Hanith blinked, then looked between Aaron and Matthew. Slowly, he leaned toward Matthew, reaching for his hand without saying anything.

Aaron’s heart twisted painfully. It was a child’s natural reaction, yet it still hurt. That his own son didn’t want to come to him. That he saw safety and familiarity in another man instead. He deserved it for being absent in his life.

"It’s okay," he said softly. He nodded, giving Hanith a small smile. "I know it’s a lot, bud. I’m not here to scare you. I just... wanted to say hi."

Katherine could hear the pain in Aaron’s voice and tried to comfort him. "You don’t have to rush," Katherine whispered to Aaron. "He’ll come to you in his own time."

And Aaron nodded slowly.

Slow and steady.