E'S

othering to look at the servants that came to welcome me. My hands were shaking as I close the door.

ever miss the chance to let me know that when they were still alive. I'm not a career-driven woman like my sister, I just want to live a luxury life

was

pieces, the way she fell to the floor, the blood flowing from under her head.

was

th my own hands." I said, l

ver find out about tonight. If they do, I'm going to lose everything, Jamie, Austin, the life I had built

ing to calm my pounding heart by wrappin

e. I had come too far to fall apart now. Jamie was mine to protect, and this

reality by the sound o

um

rt tig

ing his favorite stuffed animal. His blue eyes, that l

d, too scared t

htening around the toy. "I-" He stuttere

breath caught. What

wn the stairs, before I could

called after him, bu

. He isn't mine, but I was there when he was born, I had practically raised him, while his mother was m

make thi

d my face dry, straightened

o me. Austin was kneeling down beside him, rubbing his back in a comforting

ed at him." His voice was calm,

dn't mean to snap at hi

immediately. He look

t?" He said looking at my fac

he change that comes with moving down here, b

snap at Jamie next time? He's too young to understand everyth

be there for you from now on, for both of you. And anytime you feel upset about something

tart to doubt me. "No need to worry, Austin. I'm fine

. I'm so sorry." I ran my fingers softly through his hair. "Mu

t he stayed near m

cared you. I promise, I will never shout at you

aid in a low voic

the drawing you wanted to show me now, and we ca

lit up slightly

.. Why don't we all go together? We could take

d, like he was thinking twice, but then J

se, D

through his hair. "Alright,"

d, and I fel

y place in this family, to remind Austin

ain a secret that I

im to trust me, to love me. Because

s hands dipped in his pockets. A

***********

al dress that made me look warm and motherly. I needed t

aiting downstairs when Jamie and

" Austin asked, ru

rinned.

ly, his expression unread

love for me. No romant

cause he wanted to take responsibility and do the righ

Zoe is gone, completely out of

see me as more than just a secretary and a