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
Rhea's gentleness no longer belonged to Carter. Her voice carried a coldness that came naturally.Carter wasn't used to her being so distant. "Rhea, there's no deep grudge between us. I just want to… apologize for what I've done."Apologize?Rhea opened her eyes and shifted to lean against the headb
With a rough location in hand, Lauren, fresh from surgery, grabbed a pair of crutches and left the hospital with her caregiver in tow.Even the caregiver couldn't help but grimace at Lauren's ability to endure pain.…Meanwhile, the Ravelles were having dinner in the Ravelle residence. Liam, Ruby, D
Silence stretched between them. The lack of response on the other end of the call wiped away Carter's jealousy.He knew that it had all been an act. George was just a shield Rhea had put up. But as soon as that thought crossed his mind, he heard George's answer."I will." His voice was firm without
George was speechless for a second. He said, "It's not worth getting drunk over people or things like that."Rhea laughed self-deprecatingly before saying, "It's kind of embarrassing."George's eyes met hers. "It's just not worth it. I didn't say it was embarrassing."Rhea was surprised. "Isn't it,







