Autumn’s POV I WOKE UP AT SIX AM SHARP and started to get ready. I soaked myself in a warm bath for about thirty minutes to release the tightness of my muscles before I rinsed myself off and got dressed. Being a mom required me to work early because Sev would be wide awake at seven. I wore a cream-colored blouse and a black pantsuit. I stopped by the bed and planted a kiss on Sev’s forehead before I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I was halfway preparing Sev’s breakfast, a bowl of Pongal with a chutney that I’d learned how to make from Ashwini when the doorbell rang. My gaze automatically checked out the clock on the wall, it was six-fifty. It couldn’t be Frazier, right? It was too early for him to come. I went off work at eight. I moved across the living room. My eyes widened when I saw Frazier's face on the monitor next to the door. I swung the door open and was greeted with a small smile and a "good morning". “Morning. You’re early.” I held the door and took a step ba

FRAY THE BREAKFAST WENT WELL AND I loved the fact that Sev enjoyed scones more than pancakes like I did. He was a quiet kid and the whole meal, all he’d said was “Mommy, this is my new favorite food” to which Autumn replied with a small laugh and eye roll. It showed as if they had their own private joke. Autumn must’ve noticed something on my face as she explained that Sev had said that at least two dozen times now, claiming food as his favorite which troubled her when I’d asked her earlier about his favorite food. Sev and Autumn had a whole ritual, a whole life that I knew nothing about, and that had nothing to do with me. Seeing it made me a little uncomfortable, and I really couldn’t say why. When Autumn said goodbye to Severus, he didn’t get teary at the fact that he was going to spend the day with me, someone he had just met today, and I took it as a good sign. It didn't look so good after the front door closed behind Autumn. Sev put down his toy and stood in front of me. I was

This 2nd update of the day is dedicated to Merlinda Pancho Pi who has voted for this book. Grazie mille!＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊AUTUMNTHIS WAS WEIRD. Definitely weird. How else would you describe sleeping next to your ex? Okay, I stood corrected. He was not my ex. We had never been boyfriend and girlfriend. No. We had slept together once —not exactly once, but you know what I mean—and it was a one-time thing. Albeit it resulted in me carrying his child, it did not necessarily make him my ex unless there was a term called ex-one-night-stand which I doubt its existence and logic.My head turned slightly, very slowly to the right and my eyes caught his dark blonde head bowed, his forehead nearly touching Sev’s. They looked so much alike. So much that it made me envious because I did not see any part of me in Sev even though I’d carried him in my womb for eight months and twelve days.I still remembered how small Sev was when he was born. I cried when I first saw him. Not only because it was a touchi

This chapter is dedicated to Beth Webb-Hepler, Marlotte, Sonya Jones, & Cindy Simmons Mann who have voted for this book. Grazie!＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Autumn’s POVI PUT MY PHONE on the phone holder and Face-timed Steven while waiting for the red light to turn green. He picked up at the second tone, faster than usual. “Hey, sis, what’s up?” I glanced at the view of him sitting on his sofa, his gaze was moving back-to-back on me and what I expected was the TV. “Do you think I am a man-repellent?” I blurted out straight from the jar.“What?” He finally fixed his gaze on me. “What’s that?” “Just now Charlotte and I had a talk and she mentioned that I had this repellent thing on. Something to shoo men away. Be honest with me, Steven, do I have it on me?” Steven looked a tad uncomfortable. “You’re a single mother and a businesswoman, sis. You have a lot going on and a lot going on for you.” “True.” I took the left turn and then sighed. “Still, I’d like to think guys find me attractive. Like I’m a

FRAY I SWALLOWED HARD. Bollocks! It was hard not to cry when Sev was holding my hand tightly as if he was afraid I was going to leave. He brought me to the classroom inside the daycare where other kids were playing on the carpeted floor. It was even harder when he introduced me to his teachers and some of his little buddies. Parading me around as if to say, “See, I told you I have a dad.” My heart was breaking right there in the middle of the room surrounded by children. It ached so badly. But it immediately was healed the second Sev wrapped his arms around my legs and begged me to sit and play puzzles with him. At noon, Autumn called to check up on Sev. We had a brief video call before her next client came. The next phone call was the one I had been waiting for for days yet when it finally arrived now, I was a bit down about it. It was from Doctor Albright. “Mr. Ronan, we have the result.” “And?” I asked, feeling a bit impatient but at the same time afraid to hear the news.