EN'S

through quarterly reports, pretending t

infuriated him. But I forc

en it vibrated again and again. The receptionist woul

e, glanced at the

t Preschoo

tightened

nstantly. "W

amien, sir. This is Ms. Mara from the presc

tomatically, grumbling, then clenched m

Family Fun Day. Ashley is the only pup whose

throat before I caught it. Sophia. She was supposed

loor as every board member jumped to their feet i

lked

st of the day," I ordered my

, Al

ched my car, my p

back. He was pacing, confused and irritated

and to my tem

hadn't heard a thing from her but sh

swings. Her little shoulders were stiff. Her eyes we

gl

ome either,"

meeting, baby. But I came

"Where's mom? Every

eep breath. M

g to call her since last night. No answer. No texts. Her number felt like a d

hed her hair behind her ear. "Mom i

owned. "A

pa's birthday dinner is today

piciously. "Then why

my chest. "She wanted it to be a secret

, but only a li

kissed her forehead. My wol

rang again. This t

ugh my nose be

ha

, tomorrow is your father birthday. We're meeting at Alena Mall so we can drive

hday," I replied tigh

he added sharply. "She'd bet

jaw twitched. "Sop

the phone slowly, trying to s

eachable. And I

y sleeve. "Daddy,

'll get ready

my mind wasn't in the car. It was w

with my mom the next day, a knot

lla wa

o scent of cooking filled the air. T

ormed ins

ed. "Sophia, where

ce an

oked untouched. The counters were spotless

ere. Had she forgotten what today was sam

pulled out

lared, more to herself than

g tone echoed throu

Helen tried again bu

gain.

and threw her phone away. It sh

your father's birthday?!" she

mbling. My wolf snarled silently, ready

utside, I re

something cold s

n any event. She would never disobeyed a direct

ing wa

racked as she lo

mom come? She alway

arms. "Because s

"Tiffany would've come. Tiffany always wants to be with m

ed deeper than

aking her hands. "

snif

s you," I said firmly. "Never.

id it. doub

ia felt completely. gone. She had no pres

his head and gr

't been here for a long

lt it..t