eli

e moment Adrian f

nd stared at the blank screen for a m

want to

ly di

father-and-daughter pair-to st

d that freedom, I would have

my legs over the bed an

rop top, slipping a jacket over them be

car pulled into the courty

pped out, and made my

ached the do

hoes sat neatly

had bought for Zo

belonged

third. a

zab

ation came

e was

to order me around in the middle o

coff left

ged Elizabeth's heels out

an ey

my gaze sweeping

y, yet I could already see tr

s Adrian had once scol

olors in t

t made the space

me. Nothing l

er come over now that ther

rs. Ca

t of the kitchen, spotted me a

nd slightly,

e's A

ered toward the stairs, her expression turning uneasy, as thoug

in the littl

to leave, but she

rs. Ca

my hand resting on the banister

hm

ed it again. The same motion re

king, I already knew

, offering her a small, re

ned and continue

a's room, I slowed,

th resting on her forehead, he

and I almost rushed forward-to check on her, to

th

in, when is she going to become my mo

fr

h had. m

Elizabeth stepped into view

ra, and gently replaced the one on her fo

d softly. "You'll give your father the wron

licked toward Adrian, who was seated

"I don't like my mommy. She's mean and uncool.

ed herself up and wrapped her

be my mommy," s

, watching th

sting grounding me-but inside, th

give birth to a child who c

a soft laugh at Zora's words. The

er of something-mischief-passed throu

you'r

ked up fro

n his eyes as they met mine, but it dis

at I c

d stepped into the room, my ga

child who seems perfectly fine," I s

her for the past three hours," Adrian replied, his tone edged with reprima

d Zora clearly prefers her over me-wouldn't it be bette

s eyes

self, Adeline Carter?" he asked

aze without

y anythin

e could respond, Elizabeth reach

ly. "I already see Zora as my ow

ut a quiet scoff and

d back slightly

ted my hand to feel her for

ck. "I don't want you. You

for me, now carried rej

h! Aunt E

the same tone sh

mediately st

e the most natural thing in t

watching as she wrap

izabeth murmured g

e looke

avitate toward the person they f

ips as she added, "Don't ta

n her tone wa

my cheek, forcing

d to reach out and grab her

ying a dang

later, she wou

ch

licked h

job right," he mutte

ng his gaze for a few

said calmly. "I came because you promised

both stunned and irritated

ou

e he could continue. "Don't bring up divo

you're eager to be with that man. you

dangerous glint fl

ou

n Adrian grabbed my arm and pulled me

efore steadying myself

rned to f

ould have known from the start that trying to turn you into someone like Elizabeth was

cond, everythi

ne

lly believed I mar

ad thrown away half my life-reducing mys

nger rising fast an

countless insu

th

love, my sacrifices-to something as shallo

d you for money?" I

didn't

lse would you crawl into my b

ords didn't just

myself than to him. "So that'

meeting his eyes w

words, Adrian Carter," I said, a cold edge slippin

rything you owe me in this