Chapter 108

Lauren's POV

“Bye, honey, mommy loves you.” My voice softened as I leaned slightly forward, waving at Aria through the tinted glass of the car window. Her tiny hand pressed against the glass in response, and my chest warmed with both love and a sharp pang of longing. No matter how many times I said those words, it never felt enough. I wanted her to feel them deep in her bones, to know that no matter what happened in this chaotic life of mine, she was always the center of my world.

The vehicle drove off and I stood there for a few seconds longer, watching as the car disappeared down the street. My lips curled into a smile that quickly slipped into a sigh. That familiar weight settled on me again the weight of secrets, of choices, of paths that could never be retraced.

I turned back toward the house, Tessa was already perched comfortably on the couch, her eyes following me with that look the one that meant she was about to start digging.

We had