ar

I could finally breathe. Relief flooded m

nds were still shaking. I bent down and ki

the words out, because

as

ame

, it didn't jump. I

re it out? Did he suspect somethi

t and loud, completely unaware of ho

. So tight I was scared I'd break him, but I

ee that Chase wa

wl on his fa

mething, anything, bu

ys had to show up a

Something about bringing Billy

n't hear

single

d focus on

. His ex

id he notice the eyes? The no

rom me? Could he? Wou

ly as her words disappeared in

s like you've moved on

like a knife. Not lou

rue. Like I'd

life without him an

d came out. I didn't know what he meant

say anyt

ed and walke

ees nearl

n of my grip would anchor me back into the p

ye

g that had kept me s

d to take him

o

ldn't sur

are yo

was smal

"Yes, baby. Mommy's fine. Mommy

e. But I sa

o his eyes,

of him w

lly wa

d no on

er be separated from

gain, mouth already

eed a reason

e already?"

who she

ded q

s at me, then let he

everything," she hissed. "And seriously, why bring him h

ly let

sults. All

is tim

es not get to say

, ready to bite but

ell at m

and angry and fierce in that i

came by myself! It's not her fa

near the end. But

and so d

her eyes like the witch

ai

wa

in my arms, holding him

a deep

was

wouldn't have t

et this be a o

m stay

.

tting Billy to bed w

cou

who'd never turn

nything until Billy was fast asleep. The

kitchen. The overhead light

't seem okay when you go

't wast

alr

"Yeah. I

I'd always be fine. That w

. "You know you can talk to me

he was try

rica. I mean, yeah, she's st

. You don't have to keep worki

f before he

y. I have a kid

rgue as usual. He neve

ching me so he saw t

at hap

nswer. Not

he w

aid it. "I ran i

t followed that

whole fac

ha

fingers were

ean you ran into him? Did he try a

uch to even touch me. He didn't d

lled while

er knows the truth... I don't know what he'll do. I don't know if he'll try to take him a

it. O

ore than I tho

n't answer

never even suspected. I don't think he ever will. You're fine, K

to beli

di

ldn't sto

as ever

My end. My w

m, nothing w

"You're not going to

yway, I don't think

r maybe I was jus

f Erica lost he

peace. I just

lost every

would survive