Se connecterClaireBy now the bank must have called Ian to inform him I’ve cut him off from the family’s finances.Knowing him, he’ll take the bait and come storming into the house. The only thing I’m truly afraid of is what he’ll do, how he’ll react. I know damn well if he acts rudely, Max won’t stand for it. He’ll want to interfere. So I’ve done something I never thought I’d do.They’ll be here soon. I just hope they arrive at the right time.I sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed as the headache crept back in. I reached up to my temple and gently soothed the throbbing pain.Today everything has been moving so fast, leaving no room to breathe.Just then my phone rang. I glanced down. Ian.My face twisted immediately. I can’t believe I still have him saved as “Darling.” Pathetic.I cut the call without hesitation. If he wants to talk, he can come home and do it face-to-face. Not over the phone. He’s probably boiling over and wants to lash out, but I’m not giving him that satisfaction.A fe
MaxIsa isn’t the kind of person to give any guy credit, especially not like that. So it shocked me when she straight-up called Mom’s boyfriend hot. And even though I don’t want to admit it… it made me curious. I wanted to see him for myself.“That’s not what I was asking about,” I said, shaking my head a little. “I meant, clarify how he was acting, what about him made you feel he owned her.”She laughed softly despite herself.“Well… I just don’t know how to put it,” she said. “But he looked like the kind of guy who always has control over everything, and everyone.”She paused, like she was replaying it in her head. “There’s this aura about him you can’t ignore. It’s both intriguing and unsettling at the same time. You know… the kind that gives you goosebumps.”Okay. I see. She’s basically describing an alpha kind of guy.But why would Mom date someone like that? Is that her type now?“Well, you see, Isa,” I said, shifting closer, “I came here to tell you, you shouldn’t cry over Mo
Claire I guess I have no choice. The person he’ll have to speak to now is my lawyer.“Don’t think about it too much,” I said, trying to sound calm. “You shouldn’t let it get to you.”Inside I was furious, so angry I wanted to throw something across the room in a fit of rage.“Have you guys had something to eat?” I asked, trying to shift the mood and lighten the house a little.Riette nodded. “Yeah, we stopped at a restaurant on our way here.”I smiled at him.I turned to Max, whose face was still a bit twisted. “I didn’t plan for you and your sister’s holiday to be like this,” I said apologetically.He chuckled. “No need. We had fun at Gramps’.”I chuckled too.“Speaking of which, I should go check on your sister,” I said.Max shook his head. “No need. I’ll talk to her myself. You should rest. I don’t want you fainting on me again,” he muttered.I laughed softly.My mind drifted back to Liam. Having Isa there clearly made him uneasy. I’d half expected him to make a scene at the r
Claire As soon as the hospital gown slid off my body, I could feel his eyes all over my back, like he was devouring me with his stare. I swallowed hard.I reached for the bag where my clothes were neatly folded, half expecting him to grab me while I stood there naked. But he didn’t.He just stayed where he was, watching silently as I started putting my clothes on. Only when I was almost done did he finally speak.“You probably want to call your kid and tell her not to worry about you,” he said.I turned around to look at him.“Where did you order this food, Liam?” I asked.He cocked his head to the side. “At a restaurant. I’m not going to fuck a woman who was ill a moment ago.”Knowing his way with words, I just nodded.“Remember when you called them your step-kids?” I said, letting a small smile curve my lips while he frowned.“Well… you’ll be eating with one of them today.”And now here we are, seated together. I’m munching on my food, Isa’s eating too. Turns out she didn’t actuall
ClaireThe frown disappeared as quickly as it had appeared on his face, and for a moment I wondered if I had imagined it.“Enough with all this pregnancy talk,” he said. “I thought the holiday would do you good, so why faint the moment you arrived?”It did do me good. But constantly thinking about how or even when to break the news to my children had drained me more than I realized.The holiday was exactly what I wanted, yet my mind refused to rest. Now that everything was finally out in the open, I felt like I could breathe again—like peace was within reach.I knew it wouldn’t be easy for my children to understand or accept everything. It would take time, but eventually, they would come around. They had to.“It was,” I said honestly. “I had fun.”“Well, you weren’t the only one who did,” he replied.I snapped my gaze to him, one brow lifting. Oh—so he had fun too?“Your husband has been enjoying himself with one of my girls,” he added.So that was it. Ian.“What did you do this time?
ClaireI woke up to the sound of Liam’s name.As I pushed myself upright, my throat felt unbearably dry—so dry it burned. Heat crawled up my chest, and I asked Luppy for water almost immediately.Isa, however, was still fixated on one thing: who Mr. King was.And this time, I decided I wouldn’t dodge it.I was done hiding things from my children. Every secret I kept only made things worse when the truth finally surfaced. From now on, I will be honest, no matter how uncomfortable it was.Luppy handed me the glass, and I drank every last drop before exhaling slowly. Then I reached out toward Isa. Without hesitation, she placed the phone in my hand.I dialed his contact, I had saved him as Mr. King, not to draw attention.“Yes,” I said calmly when the call connected. “I was told you called.”A brief pause.“Hm. Your daughter said you were resting,” his voice came through.I took a deep breath. “And you already know where I am, don’t you?” I asked.He didn’t respond.Of course he knew.I







