LOGINGrace 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
TristinMy gaze lands on her long legs, clad in a black pencil skirt. Then, lift to a white silk blouse that hugs her figure, highlighting her boobs that have grown bigger after giving birth to our son.“ Tristin… ” She calls my name, a little too squeaky.My gaze snaps up to meet her innocent black
Grace“ Mommy, I missed you! ” My son snuggles into my neck.He has been clinging to me since I came back unannounced. Now, I know my baby has one more similarity with his Daddy. He only pretends to be fine when I am away. It makes me reflect back on all the times when I was not there for Seb. Sigh
Grace“ Grace— ”“ Don’t call me that. ” I interrupt and press my forehead against his chest before his glare burns a hole into me. “ Please don’t start calling me that now. I hate it…but it’s true that I have had a very bad experience before, Tristin, and every time a problem arises, or you stop ca
GraceSeb’s breath grows steady, his body soft and warm against mine as he drifts off to sleep. I hold him close a moment longer, feeling the rise and fall of his tiny chest. A fragile sense of peace settles over us.I rise from the couch slowly, careful not to wake him, and tuck him into bed. His s







