LOGINChapter 113 Cynthia's POV I woke up to a text from three different men. 'Hey Cynthia, I hope you had a great night's rest. Can we meet today? I'm done with your project.' - Bryan. 'Hey Cynthia, I bet you had a cozy night. It's December! Happy new month! Can you smell Christmas? I can! Hope Amber loved the gifts.' - Nikolai. 'Amber got home safely after school, thank you. Sorry about the misunderstanding with Anna. I miss you. I want you. I love you. I'll see you today, whether you like it or not.' - Ethan. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, tossing my phone onto the nightstand. What was I going to do with my complicated life? Three men texting me before I'd even had my morning coffee. Three very different men with three very different expectations of me. Bryan, professional and eager, ready to deliver on his promise. Nikolai, charming and warm, making me smile despite myself. And Ethan... God, that man with his declarations and his certainty that he could just show up in my life
Chapter 112 Ethan's POVI got back from work and Anna was still there with Amber and Hayden.They were waiting for Mrs. Daniels, who was yet to serve dinner. I'd texted her earlier to hold off until I arrived home — I wanted at least one meal with my son, even if it meant sharing the table with Anna. Amber approached me with a warm hug the moment I walked through the dining room door, and so did little Hayden, toddling over on unsteady legs with her arms outstretched."Daddy!" Hayden called, and the word still felt wrong in my ears.Anna didn't spare me a glance, her attention fixed on her phone as she scrolled through something with sharp, aggressive swipes. I honestly didn't care. I expected her to react this way over the fact that I insisted Cynthia picked up Amber instead of her. Mrs. Daniels served dinner—roasted chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes. Simple, comforting food that Amber loved.We ate in near silence, the only sounds the clinking of silverware against plates and
Chapter 111 Cynthia's POV When I got home, I was greeted by a worried Kevin who was pacing in the foyer. "I almost called you," he said the moment I walked through the door, his expression tight with concern. "What happened? Why did you dismiss the security guys?" I set my purse down on the console table and sighed. "I had to drop off Amber at his school and then take him back to the Walker mansion. I really didn't want Amber seeing some men following his mother around and feeling like Mom isn't secure or something. It would've raised questions I'm not ready to answer." Kevin's frown deepened. "Cynthia, those men are there for your protection. Especially after everything with Anna and the restaurant sabotage..." "I know, Kevin. I know." I held up a hand to stop him. "But it was broad daylight, a school pickup. I wasn't in any danger." "You don't know that," Kevin insisted, his protective older brother instincts in full force. "Please don't do it again. At least not withou
Chapter 110 Cynthia's POV Amber and I dropped by a restaurant to buy ice cream—a small, family-owned place he insisted made the best chocolate chip in all of Missford. As we sat in a corner booth with our cones, Amber suddenly reached into his backpack and pulled out an envelope. "I have something for you, Mom," he said, his voice taking on that shy quality he had when he was nervous about something. "What is it, sweetheart?" "It's a present. I wanted to give it to you the first time we were supposed to meet, but..." He trailed off, and I felt that familiar stab of guilt. "But you weren't able to make it. So I kept it and I've been waiting for this day to give it to you." He held out the envelope, which had been wrapped carefully with tape, decorated with crayon drawings of what looked like flowers and hearts. My throat tightened with emotion. "Amber, you didn't have to..." "Please don't open it until you get home," he interrupted, pressing it into my hands. "Promise?
Chapter 109Cynthia's POV I scoffed in disbelief. Yeah, right? Had I so easily forgotten who Anna was? Anna thrived on causing commotion. She fed on drama and chaos like it was oxygen. She definitely wouldn't have let me go so easily even if she knew Ethan must have had an idea about me picking Amber up. This was deliberate. This was Anna being Anna—creating a scene, asserting her territory, reminding everyone that she still had power in Ethan's life. I pulled out my phone with shaking hands and called Ethan. He picked up almost immediately. "Cynthia..." "Your mistress doesn't want to grant me access to my son," I said, my voice cold and clipped. "Please let her know that I am supposed to pick him up today. And please ensure this never repeats itself again." I dropped the call before Ethan could say anything, before he could make excuses or try to explain or do whatever it was he thought would fix this. In a short while, Anna's phone rang. She was still holding onto Amber, w
Chapter 108Cynthia's POV I looked at my wristwatch, and it was time for school pickup. There was no way Ethan had sent Anna here knowing fully well that I was going to pick up Amber after school. We'd discussed it this morning. Amber had even told him directly not to send anyone. Did Ethan do this to spite me? Well yes, he always enjoyed seeing me miserable, so this wouldn't be new. This was exactly the kind of thing he would do—undermine me, make me feel small, remind me that Anna still had access to his life and his son. I hopped out of my car and approached the waiting area, my heart pounding with a mixture of anger and anxiety. I could see them through the glass doors — Amber and Anna standing near the entrance. Amber had seen Anna, and his expression had shifted immediately. He hadn't sighted me yet, but he was so disappointed to see her. His shoulders had slumped, his earlier excitement completely drained from his posture. This made my heart melt. My boy was actually e







