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Chapter 45: Deprived

Author: Sacred Heart
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Connor and I went to the park with Martha at the back of us, the crisp autumn air filling our lungs as we walked. The leaves were turning, a fiery tapestry of reds and oranges, mirroring the emotions swirling within me.

I saw the sadness in his eyes, the longing that mirrored the gnawing emptiness in my own soul. He was yearning for Franco, the man who used to be his friend. Little did he know that Franco is his father.

The sun beat down on our backs, the warmth a stark contrast to the chill settling in my bones. His laughter, usually a symphony of pure joy, was muted today, a mere wisp of sound escaping his lips.

As I watched him, the familiar ache in my chest intensified. I knew what was lurking behind his wide eyes, the unspoken longing for Franco.

“Mommy, can we go to the swings?” Connor's voice, a whisper, broke the silence. His hand tugged at mine, his innocent plea pulling me back from the abyss of my thoughts.

“Of course, sweetheart,” I replied, forcing a smile.

The swings
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