Rollin

were wide with disbelief. His jaw hung op

etic. "With my... condition... and the adoption, it makes things

ll together, aren't we, Cayla? I told you, I' d never leave you!" He sounde

e elders... they value strength, don' t they? And now... with my inner strength

sed my words. "You' re so thoughtful, Cayla. So understanding. So per

e muffled against his chest. "I want to go home. Or... maybe we

till recovering. It' s too soon." His grip tigh

ng back slightly to look him in the eye. "Don' t you want him, Dereck?

vs. the need to showcase his perfect new family. The latter won. "Yes. Yes

ed. "But it's no

ice was firm now, cutting through h

do estate. Kacey' s place. It' s... temporary arran

emise had been planned. The place where

om his jacket pocket-a miniature lion cub. "For Je

maybe two years old. Jesse was three. A small detai

essing a hand to my forehead. "Oh, Dere

rn genuine, though misplaced. "We' re almo

e years of planning a future that was never

arrangement; it was home. I was wheeled inside, my injured hand res

gure with bright, curious eyes, burst into

hrieked, his voice f

to me, then back to the boy, a frantic, desperate attempt to r

in my chest. Jesse. Dark hair, Dereck' s strong jawline

aid, my voice barely above a whisper. "What

hree. Just like I said. We' re... we' re looking

eet, innocent warmth. But as I drew my hand away, I caught a faint scent-Kacey' s expensiv

lip trembling. "Mommy!" he cried, his e

tudy in pure terror. H

d, my voice calm, reassuring, even to myself. I smiled at J

on seeping out of him. He actually bel

at the end of the hall. "Come, Jesse. Let' s go see Auntie

ey. I almo

just as Dereck disappeared into the room. My voice was loud

acey' s perfume was stronger here. And then, voices. Not just Dereck and

Pretending to adopt the child he already fathered with Kac

reck needed to legitimize Jesse without causing a scandal. And

r in college?" a third voice mused. "Always

ar and loud. "Kacey, my l

artificial sweetness. "Just dandy. Everything is go

Dereck asked, his voice low. "Are you

stle of fabric, then a soft thud. "You' re too g

Kacey said, but her voice was lac

the best for you and our son. Jesse, come say t

se' s innocent

t about the gifts?" Kacey asked, a

ng broken. Her scars are a reminder of her u

e room, a sharp, piercing sound that cu