LOGINThe seatbelt clicked into place, and Carter let out a quiet breath.Meanwhile, Arielle and Adrian watched as Lauren's figure faded into the distance. A dull ache rose in their chests.They couldn't help wondering why every mother they had ever had eventually left."Dad?" Adrian's voice was barely ab
Lauren let out a laugh right after.Perhaps some people just weren't meant to be together.So, after the family event, she invited Carter and the kids out to dinner. The restaurant she chose was on the pricier end, and she'd planned to spend half a month's salary on that one meal.At dinner, Arielle
Resting her chin on one hand, Lauren continued to tutor Adrian and Arielle, her tone patient but firm. "Look, this one's a grammatical error."The kids were bright, and they picked things up fast. Lauren nodded, pleased with their progress. "Not bad. You two definitely take after your dad.""Were yo
"Make sure you save it for me, okay? Don't sneak any for yourself. I'm saving up for a house," Lauren said.Affording a mansion was out of the question in this lifetime, but an apartment in an upscale neighborhood might be possible. Still, in a city like Draventh, even that wasn't easy.Lauren wasn'
A dull ache stabbed through Lauren's chest. All of a sudden, she sprang up from the ground, threw herself into Carter's arms, and let out a raw, anguished cry.She broke down completely. Her wails were hoarse and filled with grief as they tore through the air.Carter, Arielle, and Adrian were all sp
On the drive to Colburn, Carter watched the streets and buildings roll past outside the window.This was the city where he had spent most of his life. He'd grown up here, and every street seemed to hold a piece of his past.Out of nowhere, Lauren asked, "You must've shared a lot of memories here wit
Glen glanced at the bank card in Lauren's hand.No one could resist sudden, easy money, especially in jobs like theirs, where they worked for someone else with little room to grow.Lauren persuaded him, "Relax. I won't tell Carter about this. You can keep the money and use it however you want."Glen
"After you, Mr. Snider," Dexter said.George and Dexter approached the gates slowly.Spotting Lauren on her knees, Dexter paused in surprise before breaking into a smile. "Ms. Thayer? What are you doing here?"Lauren didn't even dare to raise her head.Liora said, "She's begging Ms. Ravelle to save
Lauren's mind was in complete turmoil.One lie always demanded another to cover it.She had managed to fool Carter for now, but what about Elena? What if Dexter had already said something to her? Would Elena still treat her the same if she heard rumors?Lauren shut her eyes for a moment, feeling dra
Rhea turned and walked away.The snow was falling harder.Inside that light envelope was Lauren's biggest lie.Carter had already picked it up.Lauren shot to her feet. Ignoring the sharp ache in her numb knees, she lunged for it. "Carter, let me see it first!"He dodged her hand and passed it strai







