PART 2: THE WOMAN HE THOUGHT HAD NOWHERE TO GO
The tall man stepped out of the black van and looked straight past Emily. At Alexander. “Mr. Reed.” Alexander’s face changed. “Marcus Bennett?” Emily stopped beside the…
PART 2: THE DAY I STOPPED PAYING FOR THEIR “FAMILY”
“I want a divorce.” Tham Chu finally said it. The dining room became completely quiet. Tham Duong lowered his eyes. Lam Ha had returned from her room…
PART 2: THE HEIR HE ALMOST LOST
When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I heard was a heartbeat. Fast. Steady. Alive. My son. I tried to move, but a nurse gently…
PART 2: THE RECORDING THAT ENDED MY FAMILY
Rachel’s voice filled the hospital room. “She’s not family today. She’s your burden.” Then my mother laughed. Not nervously. Not uncomfortably. She laughed like Rachel had said…
PART 2: THE SON WHO STAYED BEHIND
My son. The thought struck me so hard that I almost stood up. Ly Muc was still in the village. I had escaped. But he had stayed….
PART 2: THE RED DRESS I WORE TO LEAVE HIM
Claire Sullivan stood at the end of the hallway wearing Daniel’s shirt. Bare feet. Loose hair. And the expression of someone who had been caught somewhere she…
PART 2: THE HEART HE COULDN’T TAKE
The voice on the phone answered immediately. “Mrs. Whitmore, stay in your room. We’re already inside the hospital.” My fingers tightened around the phone. “Who are you?”…
PART 2: THE DAY IVY STOPPED BEGGING THEM TO CHOOSE HER
Serena’s smile vanished almost immediately. Ivy had seen it. But for once, she did not care. Adrian remained beside Serena, still holding her hand. Elliot and Mason…
PART 2: THE SON HE NEVER KNEW EXISTED
The moment Hua Lac stepped onto the twenty-second floor, she regretted coming. The entire executive department seemed to stop breathing. Assistants looked up. Managers lowered their voices….
PART 2: THE SON THEY NEVER LET ME HOLD
“So you did exist?” The little boy’s question hurt more than anything Ethan could have said. I knelt slowly. My hands were shaking. “Yes.” His eyes searched…