cted. I knew what I had to do, b

-in-law had insisted on taking him for a while. She said it was for his safety. S

appened, I was relieved to

cas close, kissing his soft curls on

get me?" he asked, his big

pered, forcing a smile. "B

imal tightly. I turned away quickly, not tru

a part of my soul. But I knew this was the best thing for hi

, Ethan, and everything that had unraveled in my life. I barely

rle

corners of her lips. Her presence made me a little unc

ve the ener

about to let me

eathing," she sneered, her

ed in m

arlett?" I asked, my

he pavement. "Oh, I just wanted to see if you'd

slap. I stared at her, d

hat?" I w

look so shocked, Katelyn. You've always been

od ran

e, I will make sure Lucas cries harder next time. It would be a favor on

snapped. My vision

und cracking through

just smiled wider, touching he

she hissed. "Stay

d away, her laughter lingering i

g with anger, my hear

That much I knew. But this? Th

im what his beloved Scarlett had do

dn't be

ever

ded, I felt a strang

my sister. She hadn't

Et

't my h

anym

t then and there that I wouldn't

. The world around me tilted, and before I

lit room. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered i

moment until I realized

n a res

's threats. The weight of it all pressed down on me, and befor

you're

pulled me fro

om behind the counter. He was well over six

plained, his tone gentle but firm. "I didn't

, wincing as my

I managed, my

. "Name's Cayden.

place him, but his

nt a couple of months ago," he

ded w

earing behind the counter and returning wit

food, my appet

call someone? Your

mi

ign, like it belon

ickly. "There's

nodded and left me a

in front of me, feeling a wave

wife, of hoping Ethan would love me the way he

think I could ev

king a single bite, leaving what

et, the cold air stung my

tears fall. But they came anyway, hot an

abandonment-it wasn't

chosen

g to one thought, one truth that ga

, he'