All Chapters of Ex and Son Beg, But I Never Turn Back: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Third Person POVThe playground was alive with children laughing, swings squeaking and basketballs thudding against the ground. Everyone was enjoying recess, except for Carl. He was sitting alone on the field, picking at clovers, his head down.Leo had just transferred to his school, and at first, he’d been excited, since he’d met Leo a few times. He’d rushed over, his smile wide, to welcome Leo to the all-boys school. But Leo had turned away from him, an angry look on his face.“I don’t play with wimps,” Leo had told him derisively.So Carl had left Leo alone. But then, this morning, a nasty rumor had started. All the boys had whispered, covering their mouths with their hands. But Carl still heard what they were saying.“He doesn’t have a real mom. He stole Leo’s mom. She feels sorry for him but she doesn’t really love him. Because he’s not her real son.”Carl had tried to ignore the harsh comments, but by lunch time, everyone was talking about it. Even Carl’s own friends had gone to

Willow’s POVI was up to my elbows in jasmine, lavender, and pistachio oils as I adjusted the flame under the small glass beaker. All around me, tiny vials were strewn on the desk. I had dried lavender bundles hanging upside down all over the wall. The place was an absolute mess, but I was feeling particularly inspired.On the other side of the room, Adonis was perched on a high stool, one ankle balanced over his knee. He was wearing a silk scarf that wrapped dramatically over his shoulder. He was busy sketching some new graphic designs for the company.These were my favorite afternoons, with both Adonis and I hard at work, comfortable in my little studio apartment.“You need a splash of mint in that blend,” Adonis said in a sing-song voice without looking up from his notebook.“Mint with lavender?” I chuckled. “No way. Leave the perfume making up to me, thank you very much. You just stay over there and keep drawing.”“You’re the boss,” he quipped back playfully. “But being holed up in

Third Person POVThe studio smelled like sandalwood, stress, and takeout noodles. Sunlight poured through curtains, as Adonis paced barefoot, his phone pressed to his ear, a pencil clamped between his teeth.“Tahlia, babe, I’m not asking for Milan Fashion Week. This is small. Just a favor for a friend. It’ll be sexy. Fun. Vibrant. Just say yes and I’ll owe you forever,” Adonis said into the phone, gesturing wildly though no one could see him. “Right. So. Picture this. Dim lights. An abandoned warehouse. And a ton of the best models, like you of course, gliding through the smoke, wearing Willow’s perfumes.” Adonis paused and rolled his eyes. “Not ACTUALLY wearing the perfumes, like literally. Wearing it on their bodies, honey. Like, the scent becomes the outfit.”He paused again. “Yes, it’s abstract. Not weird. It’s art. You can wear that sheer mesh number you love? You know the one I’m talking about. The little dress that makes gay men question their choices.”Adonis laughed, weaving b

Willow’s POVI had no idea where we were going, only that Adonis had picked me up from the studio, forced a dress at me, and told me to get changed. He said that Luigi was meeting us there, wherever ‘there’ was.The subway door rattled open under Adonis’s firm push, revealing a shadowed tunnel that stretched endlessly into the dark. It was pretty sketchy looking, but I resisted the urge to ask Adonis again what this was all about. The faint hum of the lights overhead filled the air, and the corridor smelled of stale garbage, sweat and varnish.We walked down the corridor, where it widened, and I blinked against the sudden glow of hundreds of exposed bulbs strung along the walls. In disbelief, I stared at themakeshift runway on the floor. All around it were folding chairs and assorted scattered benches. “What is all this?” I asked, turning to Adonis.“Surprise,” he said. “This is your event. Skins and Scents. Come. See what I’ve got going on.” He grinned and brushed a loose strand

Willow’s POVThe night after the fashion show, when I woke up in my own bed alone, my heart sank. I missed Luigi. It had only been one night apart, but still. I was used to being with him. So I got out of bed and decided to call him.However, as I picked up the phone, someone knocked on the front door.I opened the door to see Luigi and Carl, both of them with mischievous grin.“Surprise,” Luigi said, his voice light, almost teasing. “It’s family fun day!”“We’re going to a fair,” Carl proudly exclaimed. “Come on. Get dressed. Let’s go!”I raised an eyebrow. “Fun?” I wasn’t sure that a fair sounded like fun to me. I wasn’t a fan of rides and I sucked at all the carnival games. Plus I hadn’t slept well last night. That stupid card had invaded my sleep, mocking me with its harsh words.“Yes, fun,” Luigi teased. “Trust me. We’ll have a blast.”By mid-morning, we were stepping onto the worn cobblestones of the place where the fair was set up. It was one of those travelling fairs that went