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
GraceSeb’s little face fills my phone screen. I watch him for a moment, my heart weighing heavy in my chest. His eyes light up, and he grins so wide that I forget to breathe for a second.“ Mom! Look, I built a tower! ” He tilts the camera to show a wobbly stack of blocks leaning dangerously to one
GraceThere is a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t get rid of it no matter how many sweets I eat, or how much wine I swallow.I watch as my husband parades that beautiful secretary around like she is his wife instead of me. My eyes narrow just a little, the alcohol in my stream beginning to burn hot
GraceI lift my gaze, and meet his blue eyes. He is disgusted—a voice whispers in my head right away. I kissed him. I knew he felt disgusted around me after what happened, and I still went ahead and kissed him in front of everyone. And like a good husband, he didn’t let me embarrass myself. Shame
GraceTristin’s hand clenches into a fist. I watch as he steps back, running his fingers through his dark hair, the way he always does when he is trying to control his rage. My chest tightens, and my heart pounds harder by the passing moments. A server carrying a tray of glasses passes by me, and







