Mag-log inChapter 45Daniel’s small hands held theirs together. His fingers were warm between their cold ones. He looked up with tears on his cheeks and hope in his eyes.Monny. Daddy. Please. I want you both together.Sandra stared at their hands. At Ryan’s hand under hers. At Daniel’s fingers squeezing them both like he could force the years apart to disappear.Then Sandra was surprised. She yanked her hand away. Immediately. Fast. Like Ryan’s skin burned her. Like touching him set her nerves on fire. The separation was sharp and Violent. She didn’t say anything. Not at first. She bent down, scooped Daniel up into her arms, and held him tight against her chest. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought Ryan could hear it.She didn’t speak. She just kept on staring at Ryan. Ryan stared back. For two minutes they stood like that. Two minutes that felt like two years. No one moved, No one blinked. Mr. and Mrs. Grant watched from inside. Miss Clara stayed on her knees on the porch, forgotten
Chapter 44The question hung in the air like smoke,as Sandra froze,her eyes turned to daniel in supriseMama, Daniel’s voice was small but clear. Loud enough for the whole room to hear. Is that my other grandma? The one Daddy said didn’t want us? He ask again as if no one heard him clearSandra went stillShe was surprised. Not by the words but By the timing,By the way a five-year-old’s innocence could slice deeper than any knife. She didn’t say anything for the moment. The room went silent. So silent Sandra could hear her own heartbeat Could hear Mr. Grant’s slow breath. Could hear Mrs. Grant’s hand tremble against her chest.Outside the door, Ryan and Miss Clara froze on the porch as they overheard it, Every word. Clear through the wood and the heavy air.Daniel’s question. Both of them looked at each other. Ryan’s face cracked. Miss Clara’s eyes filled instantly. No words passed between them. None were needed. That question was a mirror, and neither of them could stand their own
Chapter 43The silence in the living room was thick enough to choke on.Ryan was still on one knee on the marble floor his Head bowed down Shoulders shaking. Not crying. Just broken. Like a man who’d run out of words and pride in the same breath.Mrs Clara stood frozen near the Her eyes were fixed on Sandra, wet and red, filled with a fear she hadn’t felt since she was a child. Fear of being seen. Fear of being rejected. Fear that it was too late.Sandra didn’t move. She stood tall in front of them, arms crossed. The sun from the window hit her face but her eyes stayed cold. Behind her, her parents had just walked in.Mr. Grant stopped mid-step. His brows pulled low. Mrs. Grant’s hand flew to her mouth. They took in the scene in one glance. Ryan kneeling. Mrs. Clara shaking, Sandra standing like a wall.Mr. Grant cleared his throat. His voice was calm but sharp, the voice of a man who protected his own. Sandra, he said carefully. Who are they?Sandra didn’t turn. She didn’t soften. S
Chapter 42Miss Clara didn’t wait for permission. She never did when it came to her son.We should go visit her,she said again, gripping her hand tighter. Her eyes were red but her jaw was set. That stubborn line Ryan knew from childhood. The one that meant she wasn’t asking,Ryan stood in her living room, still catching his breath from the run. His shirt was half untucked. His phone buzzed in his hand but he ignored it. Mom, no. Sandra won’t, she won’t want to see you. Not now. Not after everything.Everything? Miss Clara’s voice sharpened. You mean everything you did? Everything Jasmine did,you supported her, didn't you choose Jasmine over her, Mrs Clara's voice cut the houseRyan flinched. That’s not fair mom, that's not fair putting all the blame on meFair? She cut him off, pushing herself up from the couch. The cane tapped hard on the floor. You let her walk into a hospital and try to frame an innocent woman for murder. You let Sandra raise him alone while you played house with
Chapter 41The word hung in the air. Daddy.Daniels small voice was Certain. Like it had been waiting to be said for years.Sandra and Ryan didn’t breathe. Didn’t move. The apartment went dead quiet, like even the walls were shocked.Daniel looked up at Ryan with those eyes. Ryan’s eyes. Same shape. Same storm in them. The boy smiled like he recognized him instantly, like blood knew blood.Ryan’s face broke. Regret hit him all at once. Years of it. He dropped to one knee, hands reaching out, slow, like Daniel might disappear if he moved too fast.Daniel… hey, buddy, his voice cracked. His fingers hovered near the boy’s cheek. Like he wanted to touch, to fix, to be the father he’d never been.Sandra moved before he could.She stepped forward fast and snatched Daniel to her side. Pulled him behind her like a shield. Her arm locked around the boy’s chest. Her eyes went sharp, cold, dangerous.Don't be moved by what he said, a child you hated his mom to the last, you are not worth to to
Chapter 40The alarm ripped through the hospital as the nurses run helter skelter,the Doctors shouted. The crash cart hit the doorframe and wheels squealed on tile. In two seconds the room was full of people and noise and fear.Ryan heart pound as he didn’t move from the bed. His hands were still on Sandra’s neck, thumb pressing like he could feel her pulse with force alone. His knuckles were white as His breathing was ragged he kept on shouting,Sandra. Sandra, look at me, he begged. His voice broke on her name, like it always did when he was scared of losing her. Please open your eye sandra,l lost you before and l can't afford to lose you again,he voice breaks as tears gathered in his eye ready to fall outJasmine stood beside the bed, tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed silently yet atvthe same time smiled like she had won the gameSandra peep hér left eye at her as Ryan wasn't looking,she sight her smiling with her lips one sided,She heard Ryan’s panic, When l needed someo
Chapter 26Ryan slammed the car door shut, the sound cracking through the quiet driveway like a gunshot. He walked inside the house hesitating, each step heavier than the last, as if the marble floor knew he was carrying more than just the weight of his body. His first glance landed on Mrs. Clara s
Chapter 24The door flipped open with a soft whoosh, and Mrs. Grant Jane rushed in, her heels striking sharp against the hospital tiles. Her coat was buttoned wrong, her hair a little wild, like she’d run from the car without stopping to fix herself. Her breath came fast, her eyes frantic as they s
Chapter 23Hello, young mistress. The message has been delivered successfully to the Smith Group, the voice on the other end of the call said, smooth and professional. Okay. Well done, Sandra replied, her voice even, controlled. If he comes, let me know before he steps inside.Yes, young mistress
Chapter 22 Mrs. Clara moved fast, her heels clicking sharp against the marble as she closed the distance between them. The sound echoed through the quiet living room like a warning. Son, why are you suddenly asking about her? Her voice was low, edged with disbelief and a thin layer of annoyance







