Chapter 26
Jennifer’s hopeful expression dimmed, but she quickly recovered, pulling Cuntis closer. “Well, Bradley, you’re nos getting any younger. It’s about time you settled down. What kind of woman is this Melisar
Bradley pinched the bridge of his nose, already dreading where this conversation was going “Grandma, don’t get any ideas. There’s nothing between us, and there never will be.”
Jennifer waved off his protest with a dismissive hand. “Why not? She’s single, you’re single, and she’s been taking care of Curtis for three years Sounds like a perfect match to me!”
Curtis didn’t even wait for Bradley to respond before he started gushing about Melissa Bush “Great–grandma! My mom is amazing! She’s super pretty, really nice, and her cooking is so good. Like, the best
Jennifer’s face lit up with delight. “Oh, really? Tell me more! I want to hear everything!”
As the two of them dove into a lively conversation, Bradley quietly slipped away to his room. But Jennifer’s words weren’t so easy to shake off
For years, Bradley had been searching for two people: his son Milton and a woman he had never been able to forget.
five years ago, at a friend’s birthday party, Bradley had mistakenly drunk a spiked cocktail. The effects hit him hard, leaving him feverish and out of control. Just when he thought he wouldn’t be able to hold on, a girl accidentally wandered into his room.
In the haze of his drugged mind, she became his salvation. Desperate and completely unhinged, he lost control, pulling her into his chaos and claiming her as his own.
He could still remember the broken promises he’d whispered that night, between ragged breaths. T’ll take responsibility for this. I swear.”
But the next morning, she was gone. The only trace of her was a single drop of blood on the white sheets and a small copper pendant she’d left behind
For five years, he’d searched for her. And for five years, he’d found nothing.
Three days later, Bradley returned home with Curtis.
The second they stepped inside, Canis bolted, running from room to room. “Mom Mom, I’m back!”
Bradley frowned. “You just got here, and you’re already running around looking for her?”
Curtis ignored him completely, still racing through the house and calling out for Melissa. But no matter where he looked, there was no answer.
Panic began to creep into Curtis’s voice. His little face twisted with fear as he burst into Bradley’s room. “Dad! Mom’s gone! She promised she’d be here waiting for me. Did something happen to her? Is she in danger?”
Bradley leaned against the doorframe, trying to stay calm. He figured Melissa had likely gone back to her apartment, but seeing his son this worked up, he took out his phone and said. “Relax. Didn’t you talk to her last night? She probably just stepped out for a bic”
Curtis frowned, guil flashing across his face. “I shouldn’t have planned that stupid surprise, I should’ve told her to stay home….”“”
Bradley smirked, dialing Melissa’s number. “Look at you, a little mastermind trying to pull off surprises.”
But when the call went unanswered, Bradley’s expression darkened.
Curtis’s eyes widened. “She’s not picking up? Try again!”
Bradley redialed, but the line stayed silent. A faint frown rugged at his lips.
Curtis, on the other hand, was on the verge of tears. “She’s gone, isn’t she? She doesn’t want me anymore!”
Bradley grouted, his patience thinning. Stop crying She was always going to leave eventually. You knew that.
Curtis froze, staring at him in shock. His small lip trembled as tears spilled over. “You’re lying! You’re a liart Mom promised she wouldn’t leave mel
Bradley sighed, deciding it was better to be blunt than keep feeding his son false hope. “Listen, Curtis She’s not your real mom. She’s your foster mother. We agreed a long time ago—once you started school, she’d move on with her life. There’s no point crying about it. She just left earlier than planned.”
Curtis’s cries quieted, replaced by a hollow silence. He stared at his father, disbelief and hurt in his wide eyes. “You’re lying You’re all liars…”
1/2
2:00 AM ď ď
Chapter 26
Bradley straightened, his voice firm. “It’s the truth. You’ll have to face it sooner or later.”
Curtis shook his head furiously, his small fists clenched. “I don’t want the truth! I just want my mom!
Before Bradley could respond, his phone rang. Melissa was calling back.
He answered, his voice icy. There’s no need for you to come back.”
Curtis lunged for the phone, desperate to hear her voice, but Bradley ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed
Curtis’s small frame trembled as sobs wracked his body. “I want Mom! I hate you! You’re a bad man! Bring her back!”
Gloria rushed to the room, drawn by the commotion. She scooped Curtis into her arms, casting a disappointed look at Bradley. But she said nothing, only sighing as she carried the sobbing child away.
Lefi alone, Bradley stormed into his study and slammed the door shut behind him.
He wasn’t usually this short–tempered, but Melissa’s absence was starting to disrupt everything. Worse, her presence in their lives had quietly but firmly taken roos. Even his staff–and his own son–seemed to act as though she belonged.
The thought made his chest tighten with frustration. Because the place by his side had already been reserved for someone else.
And there wasn’t room for anyone else–no matter who they were
2/2
