tal'

e heavy, and my head was throbbing from the bright office lights. Alex had stayed

ad barked at me as I was walking out. "And i

r him. I just n

ing onto a metal pole. I looked at my reflection in the window. I looked like I hadn't slept in a week. My su

d smelled like trash and car exhaust, but it was better than the recycled air in the Valerius Tower. I walked tw

radio playing through the d

I whispered a

hair. She looked tired. "It's about tim

n the kitchen table. "My boss... he's not an easy man.

g up and stretching her back. "The boy was asking for you. He w

d. I went to the fridge to check th

His cough isn't bad, but he was fuss

ot of money for me right now, but she was the only person I truste

cket. "You're a good mother, Krystal. But yo

you. See you t

the door. "6:15? That'

t the office by seven. M

l be here. Goo

lpaper was peeling in the corners, and the heater made a loud clanking nois

hed his cheek. It was soft and warm. He looked so much like Alex that it hurt to look at him someti

at me and then a big smile spread ac

hug him. He smelled like baby shampoo and

itting up. "I drew a big blue c

nder. For now, we hav

y shoulder. "Why do you have

ork so we can have this house and your toys. M

ce?" Lysan

. I thought about how he tried to humiliate me today. "No, baby.

n to you," Lysander said, his

my. He giggled, and for a second, I forgot about

ater, Mommy? My thr

, was a man who cared about "bloodlines" and "legacy." If he ever found out that a "poor scholarship girl" had the Valerius heir, he would take me

just to get more money out of him. He wouldn't believe that I lov

taring?" Lysander aske

, let's get you back to sleep.

He snuggled into my side, and soon, his breathing was deep and

he other side was my secret and the risk of losing my son. I had to be careful. I had to

ad just closed my eyes. I kissed Lysander's forehead while he w