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
A wave of helplessness washed over Carter.It was his fault, too. His own lack of power had caused his children to be mocked at school in Draventh.And the root of it all lay with Lauren. If she hadn't scared the kids that one time, none of this would have gotten out."Do you think their stance is a
Lauren's jaw tightened. She clearly saw the look Devan gave her. It was full of displeasure, even bordering on hostility."Devan!" She struck first. "I've always wanted to ask. Why are you so close to Rhea? And why are you contacting her in private?"Carter was surprised by that revelation. But when
If Liam hadn't mentioned how well-behaved the two kids were, David would never have agreed to help Carter.He had postponed several surgeries to rush over, only to end up in that situation. He was angry.Rhea was even angrier. To her, Carter and Lauren were like persistent, irritating flies.Carter
Arielle and Adrian recoiled at Lauren's approach. Their eyes were wide with fear as they looked at her.Adrian shoved Lauren hard and yelled, "Go away! Don't touch Arielle!"Lauren's ankle hadn't fully healed. The push sent her tumbling backward, slamming her head against the edge of a cabinet.Just







