LOGIN“We brought something.” Tyler reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white envelope.I gasped and snatched it away. “You set the date?” I asked, tearing the envelope open.Tyler nodded, draping his arm around Harrison’s shoulders. “It’s a little later than we expected, but someone here could
Elena’s POV“And what’s this letter?”“That’s a Y.”“Now spell it out.”“Mooom…” Ivy groaned, scrubbing her hands over her face. “It’s only three letters, and I’m not a baby! I can spell my own name.”I smiled and tapped the fridge. “Can you just humor me? Please?”Ivy sighed, but picked up the magn
“You too,” she said, looking at me with half-closed eyes.I stopped.“Ivy, it’s okay, I’ll be right down the hall if you need me.”“No. I want you too, Mommy.” Her eyes were shut already, but her little voice was firm. A pang shot through me that was so intense I nearly sobbed, and had to press my h
Elena’s POVThe fire had burned down to embers by the time we came up for air.I wasn’t quite sure how much time had passed. All I knew was that Kade’s hand was warm against my waist, fingers spread wide, and his mouth had moved from mine to my jaw and down to my neck, and I had let it happen, tilti
I finished the story anyway, set the book on the nightstand, and reached over to turn off the lamp.Ivy’s hand shot out from under the blanket and closed around my wrist.I stopped.“Are you going to live here now?” she asked. She was looking up at me imploringly, like some small part of her was hop
Elena’s POVDebbie made pasta for dinner.It was simple and good, and the kitchen smelled like garlic and warm bread. We didn’t talk much, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable quiet. Mostly, it was just because I was too busy stuffing my face to have time to talk.Debbie, refilling my plate for a second t
And most of all, how old was their child? How long had Kade waited after murdering my daughter to get Serena pregnant? Had it happened on their wedding night, or had they at least had the decency to give it a few weeks?Maybe my father was right. Maybe I needed to finally forget all about Kade—to fi
Elena’s POVEvery muscle in my body was on fire as I pushed myself to my feet. The very effort made my stomach clench and bile rise in my throat again, but I swallowed it down, ignoring the outstretched hand my father extended to help me up.As I stood, swaying slightly on my feet, Tyler froze. He w
Kade tried his best to reassure Serena, but nothing worked. Her bitterness only grew and grew with each anniversary that passed, and most of it was directed at a child. Ivy was smart enough to notice and promptly hurled Serena’s hatred back at her with double the force.A faint smile curved Kade’s l
Something that wouldn’t respond to normal medicine.“I have to,” I said, looking at Tyler, then my father. “You understand that.”My father hesitated, then nodded. “If you feel it’s the right thing to do, then we won’t stop you.”Tyler looked like he wanted to protest, but at a single, withering loo







