INICIAR SESIÓNROXANNE It was the next morning. Kylian hadn't returned home yesterday and though it had taken all of my will, I was glad I didn't call him. He was an adult and could very well do whatever the hell he wanted. I was making breakfast for everyone this morning. Because I had no idea the room Kylian had assigned mom, or the condition it was in, I had to give mom one of the guest rooms to sleep in. The boy had no change of clothes and his favorite cereal was unavailable. I just hoped he would agree to having this breakfast of scrambled eggs, strawberry pancakes and apple juice. Maybe I should call him and ask him to get some fresh clothes, Ethan's favorite cereal and milk when he was coming.That would sting my pride, but I would tell him it was a debt, and I'd pay back. It was time to find a job so Ethan's responsibilities wouldn't have to fall on him. If only he wouldn't be too busy, I thought derisively, to answer when I called. The womanizing jerk! Sandra Sawyers must be thinkin
VANESSA "No." Roxanne uttered coldly, "we'll deal with this legally." Then she ended the call.For a moment, no one said anything. Patricia and Josh exchanged glances, then their eyes rounded on me. Chalking nerves and a bit of fear, I put on my haughtiest of stare, "what?""Are you sure you didn't touch your son?" Patricia asked, repeating the same question for the second time. "Yes, babe," Josh's tone was careful not to accuse, "are you sure?""Are you guys questioning me?" A perfectly carved brow arched, "wait. You guys don't believe me?" I feigned hurt, especially at Josh who squirmed. Patricia shifted uncomfortably, looking at her son. "It's not that. But she said she has evidence. We need to know what the evidence is. To just understand so in case Roxanne...""We are here worried over Roxanne like she has some kind of connection or wealth to intimidate us? Have you forgotten who she is?" I made sure they heard my emphasis on 'she'. Josh drew a breath. "We can easily squas
ROXANNEIt's been an hour since I left mom sitting alone in that living room all by herself, of not knowing whether she was interested in food or anything.I was staring at that picture for the thousandth time, trying to tell myself it wasn't him. While other part of me was pissed at me for my stupid obsession over a life that didn't concern me. Wasn't I the one who had told him to continue frolicking with other women? In my words, I'd used the word 'fuck'. So even if it was him, he had every right to do whatever he wanted with Sandra Sawyers. Not my business. We weren't even an item, I thought in self-irritation.I turned off my phone, forcing my attention away from the new. Seeing Ethan was still deeply asleep, I rose myself from the bed and headed out to the living room. I heard mom's voice talking on the phone. Her tone caught my attention, drawing perplexity from me."I took him." Mom was telling whoever it was on the other end of the line. She waited a beat, her expression a
ROXANNE "This is what Kylian and I have been discussing, mom," I broke the short silence that had enveloped the room, "he actually brought it up. He said you need to leave your job and your apartment.""Oh." Mom blinked, saying nothing."You know this mean you can't step feet outside this building for the main time, Mrs. Robertson. Just like you're officially no longer working for Josh and his mother. And you can't go home to get your stuff. You have to let whatever you have in that apartment go.""What?" Mom squeaked her disbelief. "But...""Mom, your life is more important than any personal belongings. Moreover, you don't really have much."Mom gave me a look.I heaved a sigh, feeling for her, "mom, please. This is for your own good. Those people chasing you might know where you live and will be coming for you there."Ethan shifted in my arms sleepily, he rubbed a small hand over his eyes and let out a hiccupy yawn. I placed a hand on his back, caressing in circles to help him ease
ROXANNE The doorbell rang. Kylian who was dressing to go out to God-knows-where, since he wouldn't tell me where exactly he was going to, and I exchanged glances. "Is that your date? The person you're going to see?" I didn't bother to hide my accusation. He chuckled, unperturbed by the accusation, "you don't want me. Yet you don't want others to want me? That's cute though." He caressed my face, before going to answer the door.I eye rolled, partly annoyed at myself for acting up like I was his wife.He was right. I had told him I didn't want such relationship between us, but now I was expecting him to tell me where he was going to and hoping it wouldn't be to go see some woman, possibly the one owner of that pair of pink panties I'd seen in his bathroom my first day here. "Mrs. Robertson?"Pulled out of my thoughts to turn a furrowed gaze to the door, "mom?"She walked in, carrying Ethan and it wasn't until I neared her that I saw she was breathing heavily."Mommy!" Ethan stret
JULIA"What is wrong with you?" The words were uttered low, but with every bit of intended intimidation and irritation smeared beneath. Recognizing that voice, I quietly reduced my pace to go peep through the window. There was Vanessa, scrunching her face like she was faced with some kind of disgust, talking in the way no adult should to a child who had done nothing wrong.Ethan's little body quaked, tears falling from his eyes, "stop being mean, Vanessa. You're mean." His little, scared voice tugged at my heart. I almost wanted to forget my place in this house and slap some sense into that stupid bitch, and then cuddle Ethan to myself. People didn't understand how much of a blessing having a child was, whether you were their biological mother or not. To my utter shock and disbelief, she smacked his mouth. Anger brewed. Still, it was by some kind of magic I wasn't jumping that girl right now and smacking her right back.Ethan's cries increased."Shut up. If anyone hears your voi







