Chapter 4
I reached out and hugged Layla tightly, my eyes welling up with
tears.
One of her little hands gripped my finger while the other gestured, telling me about a dream she’d just had.
She sobbed uncontrollably. “Mommy, I dream every night that you’ve come back.”
“I know, and it’s all my fault. I’m the one who caused you to go missing!”
Layla threw herself into my arms again, her tears falling on my
arm.
I lifted my hand and gently wiped the tears from her face. “Layla, this isn’t your fault. I’m back now, aren’t I?”
She finally stopped crying.
I ruffled her hair. “Layla, how have these past few Christmases been for you?”
Then I picked her up.
“Daddy’s been good to me, but he always wants me to call Christina mommy.”
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Chapter 4
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I froze, both at Layla’s words and her noticeably light weight.
All of this proved that she hadn’t been doing well at Martin’s house.
Layla didn’t notice my thoughts. She nuzzled my face and mumbled, “But Christina seems to like Oscar more.”
My heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle. She was so innocent, naturally unable to realize it was because she wasn’t welcome.
I kissed her face. “Layla, if you could, would you be willing to leave with me?”
Layla nodded vigorously. “Mommy, wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
I blinked back tears. “Alright, then I’ll take you back to New York.”
“What are you going to New York for? Isn’t this your home?”
A questioning voice suddenly rang out from upstairs.
I looked up to see Thomas with an expression of disbelief.
Layla tugged at my clothes and said sweetly, “Mommy, you can’t lie to me.”
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Ignoring Thomas, I looked at her and said gently, “Okay. I won’t lie to you. We’ll leave once we’ve taken care of everything.”
“Evelyn, you leave and come back as you please. During these three Christmases, didn’t you think about me at all?”
Thomas rushed down from upstairs. I took a step back. “I have a new husband, and you have a new wife. Is it appropriate for you to say that?”
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