Complicated bond

n's Boutiqu

e front windows. Helen was restocking shelves when the bell above the door

ed smile. "I was just in the nei

ile. "Hey, Smith.

Still thriving, I see. Marcus tel

unsure where t

?" Smith asked. "Mayb

ed, then shru

y dropped comments, her tone

y clothes. "I never told you this, but.

er heart flicke

s to be. Back then, he was reckless. Manipulative. I had a friend he

ath caught.

st the baby. And he just van

tightening around a tiny sh

He doesn't want you to know who he really is

d. "But he... he l

f it's built on lies. Marcus-he's been nothing but real

nd growing louder. "I know. I just...

ut trust your instincts, not your memories. The p

's Apartment

the ceiling. Smith's words

shed." "Not who h

m, peacefully sleeping in

name sti

ks. Lies. Manipulation.But all she saw... was love.Still, doubt had begun

ondo – The

rink and dropped onto Ma

acking,"

back, smug.

hing. I told her just eno

ep pushing. She needs to

ate, she might thank you

is. Our future."As they plan different ways to get money from the gre

Apartme

at the window, Liam in her arms.Tears slippe

th... I just want to

t lost.It was buried.And someone, so

O PRETEND TO BE ONE OF THE WOMEN

tment – Late

en. A baby with dark curls and piercing eyes stared back-eyes Smith had carefully edited to match Gabriel's striking features

he'll fall for

cracking. She just needs a push-this

o slid out of the print

ell her he vanished right after you found out

eyebrow. "And what i

"We've got the baby photo, the sob sto

eeping in. "What about Gabriel? He

r. Not with everything we've lined up. Besides, b

outique –

of onesies when the bell chimed a

don't know me, but... I think we

stomach knotting.

o. "This... this was my bab

The resemblance hit like a punch. Dark eyes. The

e tears dropping from her eyes "He told me everything I wanted to hear. Unti

around the photo. "He..

dn't want you to know what he's capable of. I don't want anything from you.

ies felt real now-realer than ever. Sh

u," she w

d left, her role pl

artment –

her phone. "She

ugh the line, smug. "She sa

urling in her chest. "G