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
The kitchen was right next to the dining room, so Lauren could hear everything Carter, Peter, Aiden, Arielle, and Adrian were saying. Leaning on her cane, she stepped out, her face heavy with sorrow. "Carter, I know I've been away for six years, and I've changed a lot. But I never meant any harm. M
Lauren glanced at Carter, wishing he would step in and tell Peter and Aiden that they didn't need to treat Rhea with such respect.But he didn't.Not only did he remain quiet, but he also continued to watch Rhea. His gaze was no longer cold but carried a flicker of admiration, even a faint smile.Bu
Lauren's lashes fluttered. "I picked things up from videos recently. It's been so many years since we last saw each other. I was afraid that… we might not click anymore, and I'd disappoint you. What's wrong, Carter? Did I make you uncomfortable?"Carter shut his eyes.Uncomfortable? Hardly.But he c
The Ravelle family dominated Draventh, but the people of Eryham weren't necessarily going to give them that kind of respect."What's her name?" Carter asked."Her father's Kieran Austin.""Kieran Austin?" Carter's eyes widened. "The biggest jeweler in Dalea?""Yes," Lauren said. "He only has one dau







