Chapter 104: Choosing Predictability

Newton sat frozen for a hot second, registering Selen’s words. Had she really made her decision and he was her choice?

But before he could hold her waist and kiss her back, she had already pulled away.

The kiss was short, completely different from the desperate one from the other day. It felt like a firm boundary, a clear sign that she was taking back control of her life.

When Selen pulled away, her face was steady and serious. He could still feel the warmth of her lips on his, and her words still left him completely speechless.

What is there to choose when I already made my choice? The phrase looped in his head.

Selen was not running to Clancy, she was choosing her children, and she had already made peace with it. And now, she was also choosing Predictability as a partner.

She did not want to be with someone who would constantly have her living in the fear of changing all of a sudden. Someone who made her worry that she would wake up one day and they would no longer be there.

From the day she had met Newton, he had been nothing far from present. He was always there for her and the kids. And that was what she felt she needed... Predictability, knowing that he would always be there.

"Now we just have to find a way to be in a relationship miles apart from us for six months" she said, letting her internal thoughts out.

"Six months? Wait, are you really moving them to Kent, England?" He asked. He was still registering her news before the talk about just him and Selen, that he momentarily forgot about her saying that she was leaving soon.

But even in that moment, he was not just thinking about himself. "What about the kids? Do they know? Have you told them? How did they react?" He asked all at once.

"I just spent the afternoon explaining this to them. David and Daniel are already picking out which toys fit in their backpacks. Diana wants to plant flowers. They are moving forward because I am leading them." She said,

"And you have thought it all through right? This is not a spur of the moment kind of decision, is it?" He asked her. He worried that since he was just getting the news after his fight with Clancy, that Selen had made the decision in a not so calm state of mind.

"This is not a hasty reaction. The medical board recommended the facility in Kent months ago for Diana’s health. The clean air and specialized care are exactly what she needs right now. The ministry is covering it all." She responded.

Newton looked at her, his mind racing as he tried to process the massive shift. He cared about the kids deeply, and knowing Diana’s health was the driving force made the reality of it pull at him.

"And Clancy? He is based out there. Is he not?" he asked her, letting his feeling of

jealousy out.

Selen let out a tired sigh. "Clancy did not arrange this. In fact, he is not even coming with us next week. He does not even know about it yet" she said.

"He has his own business to manage here. What happens with him later is separate. Right now, my focus is solely on getting my family on that plane and getting Diana settled." She said,

She was not going to let either of them think that her decision was based on them or their unnecessary fight the previous day.

Newton took a slow breath, the initial shock turning into a quiet desperation. He did not want her to leave, especially with things feeling so promising between them.

Selen looked at him, her expression softening just a fraction, acknowledging their history and the feelings lingering in his heart. "I know. It’s a lot to take in, and I am not trying to shut you out immediately after saying yes to you," She said as she checked her watch, noting the time.

"Look, the kids are upstairs, and Clancy is actually coming over to the house later this evening. I need to tell him about the move, too. Like I told you he has no idea yet." she said.

Newton’s jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Clancy, but he managed to keep his temper in check. "You are telling him tonight?" He asked.

"Yes," Selen nodded firmly. "He deserves to know directly from me before the packing details start. But you and I... we need a real conversation without the ticking clock or the pressure of who is coming over." she said.

She stepped back toward the door, looking back at Newton. "Let’s meet tomorrow. You could come by the office if you are free to or we can find a quiet spot. We will talk more then. I promise." she said.

Newton looked at her face, seeing the absolute determination but also the quiet exhaustion underneath. He knew pushing her further right now would only stress her more when she already had a heavy evening ahead.

He nodded slowly. "Tomorrow, we will talk. Properly." He said. "Tomorrow," Selen affirmed with a small, genuine nod.

He then turned and left the room, leaving Selen alone with her thoughts. The silence was heavy, but it was not the final goodbye he had feared. There was still tomorrow and possibly forever.

Later that evening, the house was quiet. The children had finished their dinner and were upstairs in the playroom with the nanny, Sarah. Their excited chatter about giant gardens and airplanes muffled by their heavy doors.

Selen sat in the main living room, with a cup of tea cooling on the side table by her corner. She had changed into a comfortable lounge set, but her posture was straight, her hands clasped lightly in her lap.

The front door being shut echoed through the foyer, signaling an arrival. A moment later, Clancy walked into the room.