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Chapter 65

Author: Celice Wylder
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-17 13:46:56
Johnathan

Gregory's mouth runs like a freight train on our way back to the mansion. The kid barely stops to breathe while he excitedly tells me about his week at Zach's house.

We popped into one of the many diners in town for a burger and a milkshake, and the kid is in a fantastic mood. God, I missed my boy.

I smile and adjust my wristwatch. I promised Mara that I wouldn’t be long, but it turned into a three-hour-long exercise, starting with Kelly who insisted that I stay for coffee and cake.

I glance at my chattering son in the rearview mirror. “And I told Zach he can come play at owuh house, ‘cause he don’t have a pool o' nothing.”

"They have a big pool in town," I say. "Didn't Kelly take you?"

"No. She doesn't twust the men thewe."

Oh-kay. “All right kiddo,” I say as we pull up to the house. “Settle down a little, will you? My ears need a break.”

Gregory undoes the buckles on his carseat by himself and patiently waits for me to open the door. Grabbing his backpack, he hops out an
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    MaraJohnathan rubs his hands over his eyes, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Something he does, I’ve come to learn, when he’s tired and feeling overwhelmed, though he’ll never admit to it.At long last, he empties his glass and nods. “So Donovan and Haley make peace some time in the future?” he asks.It has nothing to do with what I’ve said, but I guess he’s not ready to face the big demons yet. “I guess, but the child… he wasn’t there.”“Shit,” Johnathan grunts.“Maybe I just didn’t see him.”Johnathan turns his face away and scratches his head. “Tell me about our daughter?”For some inexplicable reason, my heart swells and my eyes fill with tears. I don’t know what happens between then and now, but I know I love that little girl. I also know that I was terrified that I’ll lose her.When we ran for the temple, I kept praying to the Goddess, begging her not to take another one. There’s no way I can explain this to Johnathan though. I don’t want him to know. “She is beautiful,” I

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