Travis didn't want to move. The world outside the sheets could burn for all he cared. His hand rested against the dip of Alice's waist, his thumb tracing the soft line of skin just beneath the hem of her sleep shirt. Her breathing was slow, steady—the kind of peaceful rhythm that tempted him to match it, to sink deeper into the warmth beside her and forget the world waited at all.
Her leg was slung lazily across his, cool and lithe. The way she always managed to curl herself around him made it nearly impossible to leave. Their bodies knew each other in sleep, a subtle choreography honed by time and tenderness.He glanced at her face—partially hidden by the tousled curtain of her hair—and at the faint smile still playing at her lips from some lingering dream. He smiled despite himself."You're awake," she murmured, eyes still closed."Mm.""I can feel you staring again.""I wasn't staring. I was memorizing.""Smooth."Alice was pulled from sleep by the sound of hushed voices and hurried footsteps outside the bedroom. She blinked against the morning light, her body still heavy with sleep. A knock came, soft but insistent."Ma'am? It's Elliot. I'm so sorry to disturb you. Something's happened. Mr. Travis needs you downstairs."Her heart skipped. She sat up quickly, pulling the blanket around her. "Is he hurt?""No, ma'am. But it's urgent."She was dressed and in the sitting room within minutes. Her eyes found Travis immediately. He was seated in his usual chair by the windows, his face unreadable, posture rigid. His fingers were laced together, the only sign of tension the tight grip between them.Elliot stood nearby, tablet at his side, face pale."Travis?" she asked gently.He looked up, and the coldness in his eyes thawed slightly at the sight of her. "Alice."She crossed to him, kneeling slightly to get a better look at his
Travis didn't want to move. The world outside the sheets could burn for all he cared. His hand rested against the dip of Alice's waist, his thumb tracing the soft line of skin just beneath the hem of her sleep shirt. Her breathing was slow, steady—the kind of peaceful rhythm that tempted him to match it, to sink deeper into the warmth beside her and forget the world waited at all.Her leg was slung lazily across his, cool and lithe. The way she always managed to curl herself around him made it nearly impossible to leave. Their bodies knew each other in sleep, a subtle choreography honed by time and tenderness.He glanced at her face—partially hidden by the tousled curtain of her hair—and at the faint smile still playing at her lips from some lingering dream. He smiled despite himself."You're awake," she murmured, eyes still closed."Mm.""I can feel you staring again.""I wasn't staring. I was memorizing.""Smooth."
The soft hum of music drifted from the kitchen, mingling with the faint clatter of dishes and the sizzling of eggs.Alice's voice floated through the air as she sang along to some bubbly pop tune from the speaker. She was barefoot, dancing lightly on her toes in front of the stove, spatula in one hand, flipping pancakes with surprising grace. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she was smiling like she hadn't cried the night before."I'm making breakfast again," she called out, loud enough for the living room. "You're not allowed to complain this time, okay?"From where he sat, Travis could see her through the open doorway, hips swaying to the rhythm of the beat. The sunlight streaming through the kitchen windows made her glow in a way that twisted something warm in his chest."I never complained," he called back with a chuckle."You grimaced.""I was reacting.""To what?""To the kitchen fire you almost ca
"Octavia,honey… don't cry anymore.""Please, baby, stop crying. We'll fix this. I promise," Victoria said softly, her hands gripping the cold bars of the holding cell.But Octavia was far beyond comfort.She was curled into herself on the cement bench, her expensive hair tangled, her mascara long since smudged into a mess. Her sobs echoed through the cell like a tortured animal. It didn't matter that she was spoiled, always got her way, or never truly faced consequences before. This? This was different."This place stinks, Mommy," she choked, struggling to breathe through her tears. "It's cold, the floor is wet, the pillow's like stone, and the food is… is like something from a prison movie!"Victoria clenched her jaw, eyes brimming with helpless fury. "You are in a prison, darling. But not for long. I'll talk to your father again—we'll figure something out.""I didn't do what Alice is saying I did," Octavia cried louder, voice shrill. "She's lying! She's making it up! She always hate
"Don't you dare hit my wife," Travis said, his voice low and sharp as a blade. "Or you'll find yourself behind bars with the rest of them. I won't hesitate." Alice's father froze mid-motion, his hand trembling in the air. The fury in Travis's eyes wasn't just anger—it was a warning. "You would have me arrested?" he asked, as if the idea was inconceivable. "In a heartbeat," Travis replied, stepping forward until they were nearly nose to nose. "You think I care who you are? No man lays a hand on Alice. Not in my presence. Not ever." The tension in the room became thick, suffocating. Alice stood behind her husband, her breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning. The image of her father about to strike her—it had nearly happened. Again. And this time, someone had stopped him. Her father looked between them, something ugly passing through his eyes. "You've changed," he said bitterly. "You've become insolent. D
It all seemed like a crazy fever dream. There was a girl, claiming to be her sister in her house who also said that her mother was alive and for some reason, she believed her?"So you're telling me she isn't dead and the woman I have mourned for years isn't my mother? The grave I go to every three years isn't hers?""Yes. Isn't that wonderful? I'm alive and she's alive. Yay," she said, throwing her hands up in the air and putting them down awkwardly as she noticed no one shared the same sentiment."Why are you here? Why didn't she come for me? Why?" Alice asked all at once, her mind a whirlwind of confusion."Relax. I'm here to answer whatever you may need. It was too dangerous for her to not be dead, and you were in a safer position to be here than to be with her. She didn't have the means to take care of a baby, let alone a child and a toddler. She did what she had to do. She's not at fault in all this. Please don't get angry at her. Please, for