LOGINMaya's POVI got up to my feet, as did Carter. Ethan stood barefoot in the doorway in his Spider-Man pajamas, rubbing one eye with his fist. "Mommy, you didn't come back, and the dragon part is about to…" he began to say.Then he saw who was sitting on the step beside me, and trailed off mid-sentence. His eyes went large and round as saucers."Mr. Davis!"Before I could say anything, he shot past me and threw both arms around Carter's legs, hugging him tight. “Ethan!” Carter exclaimed.He didn't lift the child. Instead, he was looking at me, as if asking for permission.My tongue felt heavy and my whole body sluggish, as if I wasn't there, but was rather looking at the scene from outside my body.Then it hit me what seemed so strange about the whole thing. It was the fact that Carter didn't seem surprised that I had a child. A little boy in pajamas had just come running out of my house at midnight, and there was no shock on his face.He was only surprised that it was his son’s frie
Maya's POVIt was almost ten at night when someone knocked on my door. I froze and dropped Ethan’s half-rinsed cup on the sink, wondering who on earth was knocking on the door at this time.Nobody visited at this hour because I didn't have friends here. Mom had gone to bed two hours ago. The only person who could be at the door was Lucas, but he almost always called before he came, and definitely never this late.The knock came again, softer this time, as if the person at the door was hesitant.I dried my hands and went to open the door, then froze in shock.Carter was standing on my doorstep.For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating. Why would he, of all people, be standing on my doorstep at this hour? Then I remembered that Ethan was in the living room watching a cartoon. My heart leapt into my throat. No, he couldn't learn about Ethan yet, not like this. I slipped outside and pulled the door closed behind me immediately, not caring if that would look rude."Carter?" My voice
Carter's POVLeo didn't brighten up on the way home either. When I asked him if he wanted us to get ice cream on the way home, he shook his head quietly."Mom says I'm not to have any ice cream.""Okay, but that's when you're with her, not when you're with me."Still, he shook his head and looked out the window. For the first time ever, it fell on me to carry the conversation. He simply responded with one-word answers, barely smiling. This was quite concerning for a child who laughed a lot, both at funny things and things that weren't even the slightest bit funny. Then when we got home, he wouldn't touch his dinner either. "What's wrong, bud?" I finally asked, crouching in front of him where he sat curled up small on the couch.At first he claimed that nothing was wrong, but I could see his lips quiver and noticed that he was desperately trying to hold back his tears.I didn't give up until he broke down crying. "Please, Daddy, don't let her take me. I don't want to go. Please, Dadd
Carter's POVMy phone was ringing off the hook, but I couldn't focus on work. The digital notification from my lawyers had been open on my screen for over thirty minutes: Intent to Relocate. I had read it over and again, unable to believe that Brooke was serious, despite her visit the other day. It was crazy to think that she had actually filed it.Of course, I was going to challenge it, but after being bitten in the ass countless times by the system, I wasn't sure I trusted them to work in my favor.Finally, after I got over my initial shock, I called Brooke. She let the phone ring for a long time before she picked up."What exactly do you think you're doing?" I asked without preamble.“Oh, I’m just packing up my stuff. Why? Did you need something?” she said with fake innocence.“What’s the meaning of this nonsense I received?”"Don't act so offended, Carter. I already gave you a heads-up, didn't I? I’m finally taking charge of my life for once. You should actually be proud of me. Y
Brooke’s POVThere it was. I'd been counting on him asking that… praying he would ask it. I nearly sagged in relief, but I kept myself in check and shrugged as if I actually didn't care one way or the other. "My parents' company is drowning. It has been drowning for quite a while now. That's their only source of livelihood and what they know how to do. That's the easiest place I could get the best job for me as well as the best pay. You could help them. Sign a restructuring deal with them and bring the company under Davis Group; you know, get the company stable again. Also, I want you to reinstate my allowance… the real one, not whatever scraps you've been sending. As you well know, the cost of living has gone up, and Leo is already used to a certain lifestyle. I have to maintain that lifestyle."Something flickered across his face, disbelief giving way to something worse. It almost looked like hatred. Well, too bad. Carter could hate me all he wanted, but he had to give in to my
Brooke’s POVI did the only thing left to do… I went to see Carter. I drove straight to his office and walked into the building, ignoring the not-so-subtle stares of his employees.Ever since that day when Carter had me dragged out of here kicking and screaming, most of them seemed to have lost respect for me.It was all his fault. If he couldn't treat the mother of his child with dignity, why would his employees do so? Of course, they dared not disrespect me to my face.But I could feel their eyes boring holes into my back nonetheless. I could hear them sniggering softly when I passed. God, I hated all of them. If my plan worked, which I hoped to God that it would, I would make their lives a living hell… all of them!Whatever I had been about to say died in my throat when I got to Carter's office and shoved open the door without knocking. Maya was in the office with him.Of course, she was. That scheming whore. I had known right from the onset that this contract shit was just an ex







