ghter had me in the whirlpool o

e luxury other kids had. The kind I'd had growing up.

c

for the rich kids after she'd made mention, once again, with her b

e me, watching her swing delightfully

was quiet, though f

me? What happened aft

s. I sighed and looked away, not wanting to be tricked by my emotions jus

Yes, I rememb

Will..." My voice trailed off, memories

the pregnancy

merely nodded. He waited until I was c

I asked, because it had been se

- Zoey Hushton. Making mockery of me. My family throwing me out and cancelli

ensure a good education, feeding and keeping a roof

ff as desperate, even t

that alone." And he really meant every w

red. I cared so much about what people I'd loved and trusted had turned

, it was warm and comforting. "I'm sorry, Dahl

Don't worry. I can always find other

ople barely hired high school dropout

p my daughter in school, put food on her table

n that aspect." H

y throat, gathering my emotions and putti

what was probably my meal for the whole day and g

w it felt to depend on others and I didn't want to because if there was

me help for old time

ghter and me are good. We've come this far on our own, we do not need

o turn my head in his direction. I paid forced attention to Haven laughi

t of my daughter's old thrift dress to the other litt

once had as a child. It was a tough pill to swallow knowing my d

her plans? Any other job?" His ge

gave a

pays well,

wallow while I lied throug

rig

t to Haven who grinned at hi

ving fun?"

have a bowl of ice cream, please

. If I did, that would mean no dinner for her tonight and

already accepting her hand and walki

u want on

corner of his lips. He was waiting for me to turn dow

not disappoint

Mommy's favorite is one scoop of lemon and two scoops of raspberry. Me, my favorite i

hat was

?" I heard Haven ask him, while

cream but if I mus

unny face that had Z

coffee, hated th

orner. I quietly enjoyed my bowl while Zac and Haven chatted eating theirs. More li

had me turning tow

hurned, ready to throw up the fo

g here? And how did she know where to find Zac? More impo

d me. "So it's true? What I read on the news is true? Y

?" Zac app

dramatic self had

s brows quirked, then he raised his eyes to meet mine.

chool dropout. The girl who went from being her parent

." Zac was annoyed. "You'

t their phones to record. She plastered on a smile, dr

iliation still in the background over

as goi

just got jealous." S

a friendly reunion. Nothing more." He

help but dr

my face, her smug growing.

how stupid I sounded, but

s expression was blank.