[56]

BEATRICE:

Realizing the flow of my thoughts, I reprimanded myself for feeling things like that. Had I not learned my lesson? That this man will only hurt me in the end?

Why would it feel as if this was the first time hearing someone compliment me?

It is not like that, Beatrice. It is the first time hearing your ex-husband compliment you like this. He never spared you a glance in the past. That's why…hearing him say that you are lovely created a new feeling.

Still…

Drake was incapable of loving someone.

Except for your son, the other part of my mind said.

Yeah. Except for my son.

I should stop myself from liking to hear words like that.

"Mommy! Come here!" Grayson called for the second time. "The water is so clear, Mommy! Let's swim together!"

He was right. The water was crystal clear and staring at it reminded me of the beautiful blue sky. And the ocean was calm today, inviting me to join them swimming.

I hated how Drake continued looking at me. As if I was some kind of specim