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
Marcus pressed his lips together.Kate murmured to herself, "She'll probably end up as the biggest laughingstock in Draventh, won't she?"Something in her tone unsettled him. He hurried to calm her. "You should get some rest. There's still time before the trial. Maybe we can find another way to help
Gossip about Kate and Rhea continued to circulate."Ms. Pearson is beautiful, kind, and gentle. She could never do something like that. Ms. Ravelle, though, she's used to doing whatever she wants.""Exactly. Kate shouldn't have to look after those kids at all. Rhea left her ex and got together with
Rhea said, "It's because she likes George. Kate sacrificed our friendship just to get him. She used you as a pawn. You're humiliated, your pride is gone, and she's just sitting back, ready to reap the rewards. How could you be so stupid?"She took two steps back and stood beside George. "Your stupid
Rhea continued, "I forgive you for making up lies out of thin air and sending Carter to my house to stir up trouble. I also forgive you for throwing away 20 years of our friendship and twisting the truth in front of everyone, just so you could get the man you wanted."Her gaze was icy as she looked







