Deceived by Sky

e to know all too well over the past few months. She settled into a chair in the back corner, gripping the strap of

wling sounds as he marched it along the arm of the chair. Jace, who was eight, had his ear buds

d bills and a crumpled cereal bar. She hadn't intended to bring the boys to her checkup, but her neighbor

d hit the kitchen table like a

but on the kids too. He was gone, without a backward glance. He had become distant, uninterested, and cold. When she finally mustered the courage t

away the bitterness. It was too earl

e interrupted, startling

ked up

tood out-sharp cheekbones, a chiseled jaw that was softened just a touch by a couple of days' stubble, and eyes that reminded her of e

his," he said, holding up a

nking as she took i

m," he rep

eyebrow, a l

ed with a slight

t be real. "Sounds like a superh

," he joked, his smile grow

said. "Li

ed to the boys

ace and

, nodding. "You here fo

Just a

asually. "You don't look

an insult, but it wasn't exactly a complim

ar," she said, choosin

. "Sometimes it shows, doesn't

wasn't fidgeting or forcing a smile. He was just... there.

o life: "Lia Morgan to Dr. Selm

Jace quickly yanked out his earbuds and stood up. Caleb kept playing w

f uncertainty in her voice.

moment, and then

Yet, something about that encounter stuck with her, like a

oon become a chapter in her life

mask of unreadable emotions, lips pressed tightly together as he watched her di

a contact labeled "Target: Lia M

Trusting. Vulnerabl

phone away and strolled out of the ho