Cassy POVThat night, we put the kids to bed.“Goodnight kids,” Caleb said, tucking them into bed, but Oakley was fast.She grabbed Caleb’s hands and pulled him to the wooden bench at the bottom of the window.Next, she took a picture book from her bag and ran to her father, placing the book in his waiting hands.“You wanted me to read you a story?”“Uhuh!” She nodded before tucking her little body on her father’s left side.Caleb groaned. Throughout the dinner, he kept whispering to me how he was anticipating the alone time, but Oakley was making him wait.I laughed, prompting Caleb to tug at my hand and make me sit beside him.“Caleb!” I shrieked, but Caleb only wrapped his free arm around my waist to pull me to his side.Joachim, on the other hand, sat on his sister’s side, listening while his hands were busy twisting his Rubix cube.Then, he started reading.“Once upon a time, in a land far, far, away….” He droned on.Every time Caleb had to turn a page, he would nudge me because

Cassy POVThe kids were still in their pajamas, so I took them to their room to shower and change.One of the nannies Caleb hired when we moved in helped me. When Oakley and Joachim emerged from the bathroom in their matching terry-cloth robes.They raced in my direction, embracing each of my legs when they reached me.I pat them dry, working on rubbing their fragile skins gently.I let them choose what to wear. Oakley chose a white Charlotte dress with a floweret at the waist. She partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot that looks good on her.Joachim, on the other hand, chose a formal vest suit in white and navy. He also partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot for boys that matches what his sister wore.I sat Oakley on my lap and started braiding her hair to create a crown on her head.After I finished with her hair, Oaks quickly ran to our room with Wax. I followed them.When we reached the door, I opened it to find Caleb looking dapper in smart casuals. Oakley pranced around hi

Cassy POVI squeezed his hand to tell him that I appreciated the honesty. All the while Tory gazed at us, a soft expression laced her face.Caleb lifted my hand and kissed it.Tory looked away; her expression was one of wistfulness.I followed the direction her eyes went, and I found her gazing at Tony and the children.A wistful smile lingered on her face as she focused her glazed eyes on them.I do not know what Tory thinks while watching Joachim and Oakley interact with Tony.The kids maintain a wonderful relationship with Tony being their godfather. He was also patient with them and truly liked them.Then, I caught Tory gripping her hands together. I don't know what was on her mind, but I decided my best friend and I needed to have a heart-to-heart talk now. She was hurting, and knowing she had no one to back her up made me want to hug her tight.Tory had been estranged from her parents since she returned from her unannounced vacation to Canada when we were sixteen. She lived of

Cassy POV“So, I tried tracking her down. My father put her up for adoption. Even when I was still pregnant with her, my father kept harping about her existence tarnishing his name. He wanted me to abort the baby.“He said he was giving me a clean slate to start over with my life.A baby would only complicate my life.How can I take care of the baby when I was just a child myself?“But I could not do it. That is my baby.“I told him I aborted the baby and went somewhere far away. But my father tracked me down. I was due to give birth when he found out.“When I gave birth, they induced me to sleep. And when I woke up, my father said the baby died a few minutes after it was born. He then presented me with a lifeless child, but I did not believe him. My child was not dead. It couldn’t be dead.”Tory stared off into space.My heart went out to her.She looked lifeless.I remembered that night eight years ago, and something clicked in my brain. “When was her birthday?”“Third of November

Tony POV“I knew I would find you here.” I looked up from the glass of vodka I was sipping from to find the owner of that voice.I snorted when I found him standing behind me.“Did your sister send you?”Adam nodded before taking the bar stool next to me. “Yeah. She told me about what happened this morning.”“Your sister hates me.” I groaned and took another swig from my glass.Adam signaled the bartender to serve him the same drink, and while waiting, his eyes pierced me with a thoughtful gaze.“Are you really more concerned about my sister’s feelings, or are you still in denial?”My forehead creased.I put the glass down on the table to turn sideways and face Adam.“What am I going to deny? Cassy has always been special to me. I have loved her since she was a kid.”Adam snorted. “Such devotion.” The sarcasm was not lost on me.I glared at him. “You knew me. For years, it has always been Cassy. I never looked at any girl except her.”“Yeah, but you b*nged her best friend.”That l