Chapter 4

I adjusted my hat and pushed my sunglasses higher on my nose, the cardboard sign in my hands already wilting from my sweaty hands. The afternoon sun blazed overhead, and even with the shade over our heads, it was still hot.

"GO MICHEAL! GO EAGLES!" Sara's voice echoed as she bounced on her toes, her own miniature sign decorated with glitter and heart stickers, waving frantically above her head. 

The game was brutal, and I winced each time the boys threw their bodies against each other, frantically reaching for the ball. 

Micheal moved across the field with intensity, his dark hair slicked with sweat as he passed the ball with precision. 

"Your son's got real talent there." The woman beside me leaned over with a bright smile, "you must be so proud." 

I bobbed my head with a grin of my own. "We are. He's been practicing every weekend." 

"You know, I've been watching these games for the past year now, and you've never missed one." Another mother joined the conversation. "Your husband's a lucky man to have such a devoted wife. And those kids, they're blessed to have you as their mom." 

Their praise caused a warmth to bloom in my chest, and I tightened my grip around the cardboard. After last night, communication between me and Jaime had been quite strained but hearing this reminded me of what mattered. 

I glanced toward the parking lot, searching for Jaime's familiar BMW among the sea of SUVs and minivans. He promised to make it by halftime, but we were already deep into the final quarter. 

"Get him!" Sara shrieked as an opposing player broke free, her small fists pumping the air with bloodthirsty enthusiasm. 

The crowd held its collective breath as Micheal's team pressed forward in the final moment. Then before I could blink, the ball sailed through the posts just as the final whistle screamed. 

Everyone erupted into cheers. Sara launched herself into my arms, nearly knocking us both backwards. 

"Mommy, we won! Did you see Micheal? Did you see him?"

"Come on," I took her hand, as we navigated down the crowded bleacher steps. "Let's go congratulate your brother." 

Micheal escaped from his teammates, his uniform stained with grass and direct. 

"You were amazing out there!" I pulled him into a fierce hug, not caring about the mud transferring to my white blouse. 

I pressed a cold water bottle into his hands, watching him drain half of it in one big gulp. 

"Everyone loved the final play!" Sara bounced around us like an excited puppy. "When you dodged that really big guy and then threw the ball and, wow! You were like a superhero!" 

Micheal's cheeks flushed pink but his smile widened. "It was just luck-" He paused, and his eyes grew large with shock. "Dad!" 

My heart lifted as I turned, my own smile already forming. Finally, he'd made it. Even if he'd missed most of the game, he was here for the victory to-

"Aunt Laura!"

That name hit like a slap to the face. Time seemed to freeze as my gaze followed Sara's pointing finger. 

There, walking across the field with casual confidence was the woman I never thought I would see. 

Laura Bishop moved with a predatory gaze, a devilish smirk on her ruby red lips. She hasn't changed one bit, exactly as beautiful as the photographs I've seen. 

Before I could move, the children ran towards the approaching pair with happiness. Even Micheal actually laughed as he was pulled into an embrace. Sara chattered animatedly, showing off her glitter sign to the woman who'd given her life.

I stood frozen as I watched my family gravitating towards Laura. 

"Alessa," Jaime called, but I couldn't look at him. "I can explain."

I didn't want to listen to him. No, I already trusted him once, and he broke it. Now I was piecing together why he took so long to come for the game. 

He was usually the most enthusiastic about Micheal's rugby game, today was the first time he missed it and I could see why. 

"Micheal! Sara!" The words ripped from my throat before I could stop it. "Come here. Now."

Both of them turned toward me, and took a step in my direction. But Laura's hands tightened on their shoulders, keeping them still. 

"Oh, what's the rush?" I detested the sugary tone in her voice. "I just got to hold my babies. It's been far too long." 

Hot rage blazed through my veins. I marched forward and pulled both children from Laura's grip, their small bodies stumbling against mine as I positioned myself between them and the woman who'd dared to call them hers. 

"What's she doing here?" I turned to Jaime, hoping he would have a reasonable explanation for this, to make it make sense. 

But his face had gone ashen, his mouth opened and closed without a sound. 

"I'm here for my children, of course," Laura snapped, and took a step closer. "You didn't really think you could keep them from me forever, did you? They're my blood after all." 

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "You lost your place the moment you walked away from them," I made sure my body shielded Micheal and Sara. "You're not needed or wanted here." 

The rugby field had gone quiet, parents now stood watching them and the children had shock and confusion written on their faces. Others were already recording but I didn't care anymore. 

No one would ever make me give them up. They were my children, and I would fight anyone who tried to take them away from me. 

"You have no idea what they've been through. No idea what it took to put them back together after you shattered them." 

Laura's laughter was mocking, her shoulders quaking. "That's exactly why I'm here, darling. To make amends and to be the mother I should have been," her lips curled deviously. "And you can't stop me." 

"Leave," I growled, narrowing my eyes but she didn't flinch. 

My gaze flew to Jaime, silently begging him to stand with me. And for a moment, I thought he would but then he stepped toward Laura. 

"Laura, not here. Please. Let's talk privately." 

I didn't know how to react, unsure if this was really happening. Did he just side with Laura over me? Chose another woman over his own wife?

"Jaime," his name left my lips before I could help it. 

He turned to me with those sapphire eyes that had once promised me everything, but now they held something that looked terrifyingly like pity.

"Just wait, Alessa. I'll sort this out." 

Then he was guiding Laura away from the crowd, his hand hovering protectively at the small of her back. 

I was left standing only with two confused children and a field full of strangers who seemed to be entertained by my humiliation.