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
George's body immediately tensed. His hands braced against the bed as he looked down at Rhea clinging to his waist, refusing to let go.Rhea's eyes were shut, and her cheek was pressed against his chest.George had no choice but to lift her again. He then turned around so he could sit on the bed.Rh
Adrian and Arielle knew that Rhea wasn't their birth mother and that she had her own life.Rhea paused, a twinge of sadness stirring in her chest. "That's not what I meant. I wanted to tell you and Adrian to wait by the school gate later. Don't leave first. I'll take you both out to eat after the pa
The female officer asked, "Isn't the injured woman your mom?"Arielle and Adrian answered in perfect unison, "No."Glen blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback.A male officer asked him, "She's not their mother?"Glen hesitated.Upon hearing that, Arielle and Adrian both turned to him at once."Mr.
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







