The moment the cab stopped in front of the Central police station, Carmen got out and rushed into the building.
The police behind the front desk looked in her direction and said, “Miss Smith, I me-mean Mrs. Ash, why are you here? I thought tod…”
“Which cell is Liam in?” Carmen abruptly asked, trembling from emotions coursing through her.
“Umm… We released him a few minutes ago.”
“No. No…”
“Are you okay?”
Without replying, Carmen left the police station. Then she stopped on the sidewalk, and ran her fingers through her hair, crying her eyes out.
“Where the hell are you?” Carmen softly cried, gently rubbing her neck.
Finally, another cab stopped for her and she hurried inside.
“Are you okay, miss? Do you need me to stop at a shoe store?” The driver asked, turning his head to stare at her.
“No. Just dr
“Dad,” Carmen whispered, pressing the phone tightly to her ear.Her gaze swayed away from the morning light creeping through the window and focused on her stomach as she gently rubbed it.“What is it, Carm? It's six o'clock in the morning. Are you in labor?” Mr. Smith's voice flowed out of the phone speaker. For a moment, Carmen absentmindedly stared at the spared pillow. Then she shooked her head and snapped out of her thoughts.“Did you have something to do with Liam's disappearance?” Carmen asked, feeling a dull throb in her chest.
The awkward silence circling in the room became uncomfortable as everyone watched Carmen cry her eyes out.Then Dr. Rebecca frowned at everyone else and said, “Let's give the mother and her baby some privacy.”Everyone hesitated for a moment, then Mr. Wilson and Mr. Smith walked the room. Afterward, Mrs. Smith came out, followed by Dr. Rebecca and her team.“Doc, I'm sure you love your job, right?” Mr. Smith mumbled, glaring at Rebecca.“I'm a doctor, not a reporter, so you don't have to threaten me, Mr. Smith. I know how to keep my mouth out of things that don't concern me, so does my team. Right, guys?” Rebecca with a brave face, yet there was a hint of fear in her voice.“Yes, doc.” Her team said in unison.Although Mr. Smith still felt a bit uneasy about people knowing that the child belongs to Liam and not Dax, he knew from the fear in their eyes that they were going to keep their lips sea
“Ethan, can you stop watching TV and come eat breakfast!” Carmen shouted, setting down the plate of Egg Muffins on the table.But the silence was all she got, and she felt a bit annoyed that her son didn't respond.“Ethan! Your fath… father will soon be down from breakfast. Leave the living room and come here!” Carmen said, heading out of the dining room.When she got to the living room, Ethan stared at her and said, “Mom, there's a guy on the news who has my eye color.”A look of confusion crossed Carmen's face, then her eyes swayed away from her son and focused on the television.“Liam…” Carmen whispered, clapping her hand over her mouth to stop herself from crying out loud.Suddenly, a great sense of sadness swept over her, sucking her energy with it, and she almost collapsed to the floor, but she grabbed onto the door frame.“Mom! Mom, are you okay?” E
After driving for a while, Carmen slowed her car down in front of "Bloom ice cream shop."“Where are you going, mom?” Ethan mumbled, staring away from the car window and gazing at her.“Getting you the ice cream that I promise,” Carmen said, stepping on the break.“I don't want one.”“Why, sweetheart?”A look of sadness crossed Ethan’s face. Then he stared away from Carmen and gazed at his fingers, picking in his nails.“I ate all my food not because of the ice cream, but I didn't want you and father arguing because of me. I don't like seeing you guys fight.” Ethan whispered.Disappointment was the only emotion Carmen felt for herself as she stared at her son. Then she slowly caressed her fingers through his hair and lifted his chin.“Honey, mommy is so, so sorry. Your father and I didn't mean to make you think or feel that way. How about I get
The room was awfully quiet as Carmen watched Liam walk over to the table and sat down. Then he picked up his fork and started cutting into his stick.“Are you not going to sit?” Liam asked, lifting his head to meet her eyes.“No, I'm not. I got to leave. I can't believe I left my family for this!” Carmen mumbled with an aching heart.“Fine. See you tomorrow, Mrs. Ash.”“Why are you doing this!”"What?"With a calm expression, Liam rested his fork on the table and said, “I'm not doing anything. My only intent is for us to have dinner as business partners so things wouldn't be awkward tomorrow.”“Why would things be awkward? It's been five years.” Carmen said, trying to mask her pain with a carefree expression.For a moment, Liam studied her face. Then he swayed his sight on his glass of wine and said, “Oh, has it?”“Liam!
Early the next morning, when Carmen came downstairs for breakfast, she saw that Ethan and Dax were already at the table. So she walked over to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “Morning, mommy. Ethan said as she smiled at her. "Morning son,” Carmen said as she stared at him and smiled. Then she turned to Dax, but he kept his eyes focus on the food, but she still smiled at him and said, “Good morning,” Although there was tension between them, when Dax lifted his head and saw Ethan staring at him, he gazed at Carmen and mumbled, “Morning.” A few minutes after breakfast was over, Carmen was about to stand from her seat when Dax finally looked at her and said, “The driver will take Ethan to school. I will drive you to work.” “But…” Carmen mumbled, pausing for a second as she stared at Ethan.
As early as eight o'clock, Carmen and Ethan were dressed, and when they came downstairs, Dax was awaiting them at the front door.“Both of us will have breakfast at my parents' place,” Carmen mumbled as she looked at him.“Okay, extend my greeting to them,” Dax said as he faintly smiled at her.“Sure.”“Drive safely.”For a moment both of them stared into each other's eyes. Then Carmen held Ethan’s hand and said, “Let's go, buddy.”“Bye, Dad,” Ethan mumbled.With a smile on his face, Dax rubbed his hand into Ethan's hair. Then he watched as Carmen carried him out of the house.A few hours later, Carmen drove her car into her parents' yard and brought the vehicle to a stop.The moment Ethan saw his great grandfather standing at the front door, he rushed down from the car and ran to him.With excitement in his eyes, Mr. Wilson took Ethan i
After Carmen and Ethan had gotten into her car, she drove out of the yard and onto the road. Ten minutes into the drive, she stared into the V-mirror and saw Ethan tightly holding his stomach. “What's wrong, honey?” Carmen asked, looking back for a second before focusing on the road. “Nothing, mommy,” Ethan mumbled as he quickly let go of his stomach. But at that moment, his stomach grumbled, and Carmen couldn't help but giggle. Then she smiled and asked, “Do you want us to stop at a restaurant and grab something to eat.” “Ummm…” Ethan mumbled, staring down at his shoe. “Are you okay?” “Are you?” “What?” After a brief moment of hesitation, Ethan looked into the mirror and mumbled, “Why were you crying, mommy?” “I was just sad. But I'm fine now.” Carmen said, feeling a sense of guilt consuming her. “Why were you sad?” “It's because…” For a split second, Carmen wanted to tel