ВойтиGrace As soon as the car stops in the driveway, the driver steps out, leaving me and Tristin in the backseat. The heavy silence between us feels suffocating. Alexander is not Tristin’s son. We fought so many times over this, and it turns out, Ethan was playing us on this front, too.To make sure
TristinMy stomach twists. I clench my hands into fists and place them in my lap, hidden from everyone’s view.That boy’s face flashes before my eyes, and I release a slow breath, trying to control the rage simmering beneath the surface.It’s true that I just can’t feel the connection with him—a con
TristinI thought she would fall for that fucker’s trap again. I knew he wanted her to come to him and ask about that child. I wanted to stop her, tell her that she would be making another mistake, one that was eerily similar to all mistakes she had made before.But I kept quiet and followed her as
GraceThe door to the stuffy room opens, and he steps through the doorway. My hands lift from the cold table and land in my lap cautiously.An officer walks him towards the table in the center of the dimly lit room. His green eyes remain fixed on me—intense and cold.Instinctively, I break eye conta
Grace“ Why were you hurting yourself? ” I ask the boy, my eyes fixed on his drenched form.He remains silent and shivers with cold. My gaze flickers towards the air conditioner. I sigh, then reach for the remote and turn it off. “ That woman, Selene, your mother won’t come back. ” I sigh.Suddenly
GraceThe doctor Alma mentioned came with a black eye and a swollen cheek. I was shocked to see him cowering in front of Tristin, but the shock didn’t persist for a long time.After all, this was what was expected of Tristin. I knew he must have beaten this doctor up to get rid of the anger he felt
Tristin“ Luca! ” I can’t keep the urgency out of my voice, the raw panic creeping through. “Get the car ready. We are going to the hospital. ”I can feel the weight of my son in my arms, feel every breath he takes. I can finally hold onto him. I move as fast as I can, not stopping until I am outsi
GraceMy heart stops. My life flashes before my eyes—Seb’s laughter, Mom’s warm hugs, Ania’s teasing smile. And then Tristin. His face is the last thing I see in my mind, his voice the last thing I hear, telling me he loves me.I should have told him more often how much he meant to me. I should hav
Grace“ That’s unfortunate but it’s also a relief that you were not targeted by any animals. ” Fred takes his seat on the rundown couch and sighs. “ First thing in the morning, I will take you to the nearest road so you can contact your family. That’s where you will get a signal. ”My shoulders droo
Grace“ We can’t lose him, Tristin. ” I whisper, my voice trembling.“ We won’t. ” His hand cups the back of my head gently. “ I swear to you, Grace, I will find him. Even if it kills me, I will bring him back to us. ”There is something in his voice—an unshakable determination that makes me want to







