Marisol was sitting in the master bedroom of Crimson Oaks Estate when Andre burst in. He darted across the room and threw himself into her arms.
"Mom! Dad said you've been busy and not at home, and I shouldn't bother you, but I missed you so much!"
Holding his small and warm body, Marisol's emotions stirred. The sheer closeness of their bond tugged at something deep within her. But after a brief pause, she collected herself, and her thoughts settled.
She remembered the day before her court hearing, Andre had walked hand-in-hand with Nevaeh and Lucian to his favorite candy shop. The three of them were united like a happy family.
She couldn't tell how much of Andre's affection had been genuine.
Still, he was her son. Marisol gently nudged him to sit beside her, softening her voice as she asked about school and his recent adventures.
But Andre resisted the distance. It had been a while since he'd felt close to his mother.
When Marisol was away, he spent most of his time with
