r

ong time ago." What did it mean? If it was the key to my freedom, I'd be ecstatic.

e gate. "Mr. Arden Davis, you're free from all ch

go, jail seemed imminent. Why the sudden change? The officer's fo

taxi pulled up, and my curiosity grew. My mother stepped out, embr

" I asked, at

smiling. "Co

er my address. As we drove, I as

morning,"

id you...

rets. "Dear, I have something to te

y, s

ngered, but I w

ome." Thrilled to be back, I noticed my neighbors peeking through the win

w that we're here, what do you need to tell

er eyes. "Freshen up first, and I'll get s

riosity was piqued, and I hastened to the bathroom

r cascade down my head and onto my skin. I tilted my head back, allowing

my mind raced

orman's complaint

my mom k

s my mo

way the grime, but

y bed, reveling in its softness. "I forgot how good t

om the kitchen, tantalizing my taste buds. Mom was cooking up a storm, and

claimed, inhaling th

dear," Mom repl

inks. "I'll dash down the street for some beverag

he drinks, a sports car screeched to a hal

ing the drinks tightly to prevent

ock deepened – it was Rex Nor

exclaimed,

eeing you again only fuels m

a verbal spat. "Listen, if you don't get out of my wa

othing but a bastard," he spat. "Don

. I reeled, unsure what prompted this insults

t person I wanted to see was Rex Nor

, sensing Rex's attempt to pro

like venom. "You reall

ated, frustration mounting. "You almost

ze piercing. "Ask your mother," he

fists, restraining myself. Mom's heart w

stormed home, determined to confro

to the kitchen. "You took quite a while," she sa

on. "Just tell me, Mom. What's goin

from curiosity to uneas

d, my patience wearing thin

able. "Why are you asking

ged, desperation cr

, baby. I'm sorry. There's no easy way to

. "What?! You're

m so sorry, Arden. I was Hughie's se

d in the gut. "An affair? I

don't say that. What Hughie and I

the revelation. "Really

and threatened to kill me. I was pregnant w

. "Does he kn

ently. I had to reveal the truth t

le identity was sh

y, Arden. I was scared and wanted to protec

ess the truth, my e