lyn'

lm, speaking words meant to comfort. I sat still in the l

ek. No matter what I did-top of my class, full scholarship, job promotions-it never seemed to

ion had gone straight to Scarlett t

d

Said she needed the money for Scarlett's college fees. I had to pack everyth

st time I reall

d holidays. Even then, I stayed just long enough to smile, s

dn't feel sorrow. Just the same dull a

hadn't made

bedtime stories through a sore throat-but somehow, his world always tilted tow

d more time with Lucas. Make up for the days w

tepped into the back hallway and made my way toward the office behind

tle everything t

t. Yes, of course. Let me

r. I reached into my b

have enough, b

o me. Not as a mother.

ut because this was

didn't owe

as I handed over the car

late message from a friend or

as E

do and can't attend y

t I wasn't shocked. I couldn't even say I was disappointed anymore. This was just how it was with him. No matt

deliver a single document in person. And now, with my mother gone, all

died tomorrow, Ethan

to show up for my mother's funeral-and c

me to brace for it. But it sat there, hea

direction unless it was to hand off Lucas like a chore. And even my son-my

ilent. Alone. Watching life go on around me wh

ice, down the hallway with walls lined with muted flower arrangemen

plans; I felt like a fish out of wa

rea, a soft voice from t

t moments ago a

aus

eadline running across the bottom: Business Mogu

stoppe

e he

ha

ollowed him as he stepped forward and handed them to her-Scarlett. She wore a soft b

s. It wasn't a polite smile-She loo

Et

ing-her name, I think-and his voice cra

hug

rminal, like no time had passed. Like this

carlett. This was indeed an "import

known all along. If it weren't for what happened ten years ago- a

gh, stayed patient enough, gave enough of myself, h

with her-so open, so gentle, so pres

never

one pretend

ain. My hand didn't shak

rly, I stared at the words for a

get a