Chapter 20.

STACY.

I drive a few miles when suddenly Liam's voice breaks the silence in the car once again, small but insistent. “Mommy, please... I wanna see Daddy. Can we see him soon?”

Daddy again for the second time?

I grip the steering wheel tighter, forcing a smile for his sake. “Soon, sweetheart. I promise.”

It was a weak promise, a vague one I had no intention of keeping. As we pull into my parents’ driveway, my chest feels heavy with the weight of the lie. Liam’s little face lights up as he spots his grandmother coming out of the house, and before I can unbuckle him, he’s already throwing his arms around her.

“Nana!”

“Liam! What are you doing home so early?” my mom asks, her eyes flitting from him to me with concern.

I force a strained smile. “It’s a long story for later, Mom but right now I need to get back to work because Lizzy is alone at the office.”

“Oh, okay, “ she responds hesitantly and suddenly Liam pipes up excitedly.

“Grandma! Mommy says we’re gonna go see Daddy soon!”