Love Beyond Numbers

IAN

whiskey. At 27, I had closed a major business deal th

st to become the new CEO. I was engaged to b

ys loved working in the company and f

mirror in my room as I unbuttoned

y, my eyes shot to the dragon tat

hol could ever drown them out. When I was 8,

st friend. We were playing in the wood

, rocky slope, but I was young and adv

ht up to notice the danger. As he reached out to grab m

g his head on a rock. I ran down as qu

blood trickling down his forehead. I cradled

ged. With his last breath, Ken placed h

d before his eyes shut dead. That! Left

lamed me and denied me access to thera

nightmares about that day and relieving t

ve been and I had to shoulder all his respon

ition was immersed and it shaped me to becom

ad touched while drawing his last breath, an

Lilian burst inside with a smirk

outed, I smirked. She was too dramatic. "D

ERIN

ay the sleep from my eyes. It had been two years

erable portion of our assets, enough to st

ng and influencing Charlotte and the only way t

t thumped with hope and fear. I glanced ov

ould hear clearly from. She hadn't s

art from me with each passing day. I longed to brid

streets of Portland, I felt overwhelmed. Charlott

d lay awake at night questioning my decision. Sho

was done with high school and instead of finding something produc

me to find Charlotte's room empty. I panicked as

lice, when the door opened and she strolled

e city, who did she know? "Whe

, glowering at me.

!" I shouted, frustration boiling over. "Y

d, brushing past me to her room

on in her heart just like he did mine,

hands busy. One evening, as I prepared dinner

er outlining a permanent position wit

ve of uncertainty. Could I juggle this dem

rlotte's college fees and expenses. I glanced at

respond. I walked over and gently pulled of

"Good for you," she muttered, befo