RA'

ll me she was

e out of my mouth the minute I step

a

sed over the other like she owned the damn place. As thoug

all too familiar smirk. Her features, her dark slee

I.I didn't know she was already scheduled for today. My assistant is i

all I could feel was the heat climbing up my neck. My w

f a sudden

ually said, like she had

a confused look. "Wait.Y

My voice came out tighter than I wanted. "She's my f

es widene

ook it all in, brushing non-e

a. I swear to God. I

een Maya and I, but not all the details. And th

t blaming you, Lucas. But if I am w

your shifts. You can come in on different days. Or maybe I assign you both to differ

My stomach twisted at the thought of breathing the same air as her. Even if

about it." I

until I stepped out a

ng to ask about

e, that tone-as if

wly, my nails dig

de sure she moved out of our pack house in Moonhaven and right into Erelis

talk about m

n three years, Elora. You don't

ood b

said quietly. "You don't get to p

expression softening. But not in a way that felt real. "She mis

er, Maya. Don't spea

ls 'mama," she shot back. "A

e somethi

cian's life. You stayed because you were handed

ever some innocent victim. You married him because yo

led for you. You showed up and he dropped everything for you. His promises f

ut only slightly. Th

t you were doing. And you let Nora watch it

tability. I g

fed her with lies. You let her gr

of sewing machines could be heard in the backgro

I used to want to be. But

y away from my daughter. You don't

t without a

t want

th

t it together u

y and I sank to the floor, my back pressed against the wall like It was the only thing holding me toge

cry that comes out in gasps. I covered my m

ere-again-in my life? And why does it s

n. The moment her hands wrapped

d. "What's wrong? You

and let myself fall apart. She held me like a sis

ally choked out. "She

enough to see my

odd

the tears from my cheeks. "You don't have to be stron

ra. Like she has any

he just held me tighter, rocking me

while, I

e."Now let me get us something

ply n

m. The ones with pictures of her as a baby. The one with her first ste

red into the silence."I'm coming back fo

ace for a woman like me, th