EN'S

through quarterly reports, pretending t

infuriated him. But I forc

en it vibrated again and again. The receptionist woul

e, glanced at the

t Preschoo

tightened

nstantly. "W

amien, sir. This is Ms. Mara from the presc

tomatically, grumbling, then clenched

Family Fun Day. Ashley is the only pup whose

throat before I caught it. Sophia. She was supposed

loor as every board member jumped to their feet i

lked

st of the day," I ordered my

, Al

ched my car, my p

back. He was pacing, confused and irritated

and to my tem

hadn't heard a thing from her but sh

swings. Her little shoulders were stiff. Her eyes we

gl

ome either,"

meeting, baby. But I came

"Where's mom? Every

eep breath. M

g to call her since last night. No answer. No texts. Her number felt like a d

hed her hair behind her ear. "Mom i

owned. "A

pa's birthday dinner is today

piciously. "Then why

my chest. "She wanted it to be a secret

, but only a li

kissed her forehead. My wol

rang again. This t

ugh my nose be

ha

tomorrow is your father's birthday. We're meeting at Alena Mall so we can drive

hday," I replied tigh

he added sharply. "She'd bet

jaw twitched. "Sop

the phone slowly, trying to s

eachable. And I

y sleeve. "Daddy,

'll get ready

my mind wasn't in the car. It was w

with my mom the next day, a knot

lla wa

o scent of cooking filled the air. T

ormed ins

ed. "Sophia, where

ce an

oked untouched. The counters were spotless

Had she forgotten what today was the same wa

pulled out

lared, more to herself than

ngtone echoed thro

Helen tried again bu

gain.

and threw her phone away. It sh

your father's birthday?!" she

mbling. My wolf snarled silently, ready

utside, I re

something cold s

en any event. She would never disobey a direct

ing wa

racked as she lo

mom come? She alway

arms. "Because s

"Tiffany would've come. Tiffany always wants to be with m

ed deeper than

aking her hands. "

snif

s you," I said firmly. "Never.

id it. doub

ia felt completely. gone. She had no pres

his head and gr

't been here for a long

lt it..t