Forced to Marry the CEO's Son

« Why do you care? It's no

y words. « I know I've made some bad choices, but I've put my

on my sleeve gently. « He forgot ab

iling like he had something rolled up his sleeves-s

t year, » Dad announced with a prideful to

went de

uffered without us. And this man-this stranger we used to call "Dad"-he swoops in and saves him, but not us? We struggled. We survived. We kept going even after Tanner was gone. Every single o

sion, not in the mess he left behind. I wanted to hurt him-wanted to scream,

es at Dad. Her tiny fists flew at him, full of all the rage and pain she'd bottl

e a wildfire, and my arms were already straining. I swung her onto my side and held her tightly. Her fists st

en. Too shocked to speak or even move

ioning to the couch like this was some family reu

le part I always had to lean on-made me nod. I sat down slowly, gently cradling the frag

nds folded tightly like she was holding herself together with sheer force of will

w you'r

oice brittle. « Mad is not

nd I fought for him. For nearly a year. When I finally got custody, he came to live with me. He's been with me this past year, and all he talks about is you three. All he wants is to see his family again.

t slightly. Her eyes were red and swo

again? » she asked, so soft it

nshine, » Dad s

That pet name he used to call me. Cupcake. He didn't deserve

w and threatening. He heard it, I know he did

a, » he said, more careful now.

, but it was steady. « You're not just

nce. I've spent every day since regretting it. I'm not perfect, and I know I messed up mo

hands gripping my shirt. « What a

« I want to take this slow. Visits. Weekends, maybe. Tanner's

I refused to let them fall. I had to sta

years didn't happen, » I said finally, my voice hoarse

ng for forgiveness. Just a chance. One cha

Heavy. Tense. Like the whole

we were all si

ly again... that was something