oice was low, deep, a

esence that I couldn't

unwrapped his arm from around my waist. Within a secon

r than Sebastian. He had a calm and mature charm, the kind that made

e important thin

stuck on Jordan and everything that had happ

over and gave

. "He is good to go." He turned to Jordan and said, "J

and I let out a relieved b

k Jordan home, hoping things would be better.

me completely. By the time we arrived, I was exha

rdan, this has to stop. I need to un

. He just looked down

learn from the adults around them, and I had no doubt that my mother-in-l

had made it clear from the start that she thought I wasn't good enough. And now, with S

be with Joey so badly, why

ught away and fo

irthday. I didn't miss your party on purpose. Your gran

ened in shock. "G

d me, Jordan. That's

confused. "Then. why

ched at hi

t Jordan believe I had abandoned him, while Joey s

nd muttered, "I was

l, and I could hea

, I didn't know what to say," he

ump in my throat.

ing up. "She's so cool! All my friends thought s

innocent eyes. "Mom. can you learn fr

slap. I opened my mout

ut hearing it from my own son. i

. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Jord

to his room. But in

o me. On one hand, my son was drifting away, and on the other hand, my husband had assured me that it was okay. Althoug

kitchen, preparing dinner

couldn't. My mind was too full

s always, made h

ound my waist. His breath was warm against my sho

ch made me feel safe. But

down and turned a

voice trembling. "Am I a

in confus

ard. "Do I em

ned. "Haley, what ar

assed when his friends asked about me. He said Joey was t

unning a hand throug

you tell him I missed his birthday because I was taking care o

er, so you can have your new fami

im made me fur