LOGINIt glints softly and as I run my thumb over it, it grounds me. Tethers me to the present and reminds me that I am not alone.The panic doesn’t disappear, but it eases just enough for me to breathe again. Just because they’re suing me doesn’t mean my life or my career is over. It feels catastrophic,
SIERRAI’m sitting on the couch, laptop open in front of me, pretending to read through research articles, but I can’t get my mind to focus. At this point I think I won’t be able to focus on anything until everything is cleared.The company hasn’t sent their lawyers, but I know it’s not a matter of
Just thinking about it makes bile rise in my throat.Slowly, I reach into the drawer and pull out Chloe’s diary. I need something solid. Something real. Something to anchor me.My fingers tremble slightly as I flip it open and turn the page.[We all used to hang out even though it wasn't often, but
She freezes, just for a second, before her face smooths out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”I advance on her slowly. “So you’re going to play stupid?”“I really don’t know…”“Jocelyn.”I say the name and watch her closely… Then I see it. The widening of her eyes and the split-second panic
For a second, everything freezes. My hand tightens around the car door handle, my feet rooted to the ground.“Mr. Wood?” Blaze’s voice pulls me out of the paralysis.“Are you sure?” I ask.“Yes,” he replies. “I ran through security footage. They’ve been meeting at least twice a week.”I inhale slowl
“If I remember correctly,” she says coolly, “you stopped me.”“That’s because I didn’t want us to sleep together before I officially made you mine,” I reply. “And before I could do that, you told me to get out.”She scoffs. “What did you expect? You basically rejected me and even after that, I gave
I’m still rattled, even minutes after the accident. I sit slumped in one of the reception chairs, heart racing, hands trembling, my mind heavy with the weight of what almost happened.“Hey, you’re okay,” Carl says gently. “You’re safe.”The words should be comforting, but the fear clings to me like
“It’s okay, Dad. We know it’s too painful for you,” Nolan adds, his voice steady but soft in that way that always knocks the wind out of me. “That’s why we’ll talk to Aunt Sierra about Mom. She told us we can.”Nova nods enthusiastically, her curls bouncing. “She told us stories about Mommy when the
When the timer on the oven beeps, Nova squeals, dropping her rag. “They’re ready!”She rushes to the oven, standing on her toes. I pull out the tray carefully, the scent of sugar and vanilla filling the air.“They look perfect,” I tell her, setting them down.Nolan immediately reaches for one, but I
Laughter fills the air. The sun is warm on my face as I push the small swing, my hands steady on the back of a little boy with messy golden-brown hair and chubby cheeks. His laughter rings across the yard, a sound I could live in forever.“Higher, Mommy! Higher!” he squeals, kicking his tiny legs wi







