MasukThe 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 few seconds later, Adrian clenched his teeth, puffing out his cheeks. He yelled, "You're not our dad! Our dad would believe us, not someone else!"As soon as he said that, George pulled both the children behind him. Still seated, he said, "Since the kids say that they don't know you, I think it's
Carter asked, "Why? What happened?""I—"Lauren wanted to explain, but Arielle cut in, saying, "She made me and Adrian eat really sweet food even though we're not supposed to. Then, before we were full, she said that we were leaving. Ms. Berry told her that we hadn't eaten enough, but she said that
The next day at 10:30 am, Rhea received a call from Devan.He sounded annoyed as he said, "Mrs. Jamison, Mr. Jamison didn't come home all night. He returned with Lauren early this morning, and I saw...""Saw what?"Devan hesitated, then said, "I saw… a kiss mark on his neck.Silence stretched over t
Carter paused for a moment, then found it almost funny.Children at six years old were truly innocent. Everything they said came out so adorably.How could Lauren not be sick? Who would invent a lie about having cancer for no reason at all?"You probably misheard. Your mom's friend must have been ta







