Tony POVI don’t know what made me break down right now. It must be the look on Tory's face. There was so much sadness… and acceptance. And that look bothered me, bordering on paranoia. I never had one until I confronted my issues with Tory. Now, as I looked at her, I felt Tory was slipping away from me, and if I did not fight for her, she would be gone forever - Tory and our child. Tory was slowly drifting away, and if I acquiesced to her demand, the tide and the wind would carry her someplace where I could not follow or find her. “I was a fool, Tory. I tried to bury the anger toward myself and lashed out at you. Because come to think of it, we are in this together. We are one in our brokenness.” “Every time I lashed out at you, the backlash to myself was double. Every time I unleash cruel words towards you, it was like it bounced back to me, and it landed on my face harder than when I hurled it at you.” “I am punishing you, but in truth? I was punishing myself. I denied

Cassy POVThe first thing I noticed when the children emerged from the kitchen with Tory was her red puffy eyes. Immediately, I threw Tony an accusatory look, which he deftly interpreted. He shook his head as if to deny the censure in my eyes. I clamped my mouth shut, not wanting to start an argument because although Tory's eyes were swelling, she looked at peace and contented. The glow in her eyes was unmistakable. I could only guess what happened in the kitchen and hoped that they already resolved their issues. Tory deserves to be happy. She deserves a man who will love her and make her his queen. "Aunt Tory, when is your baby coming?"Oakley asked, disrupting me from my musings. "The baby needs to grow first. When Aunt Tory's tummy grows bigger, it is a sign that the baby is ready to pop out." Tony explained. He sat on the couch opposite Tory because the two kids planked her, one twin on each side of her, and would not stop asking so many questions. "How many days?" Oak

Cassy POVCaleb’s upper body bobbed up the surface while Joachim swam away from him. He brushed his dripping hair back, looking like a Greek god.My jaw almost dropped at seeing his broad shoulders and chiseled abs, knowing how hard it felt to my hands.But my sudden fascination with his body was broken when he turned to Oakley and saw the damage he created.My baby girl was drenched from head to toe.I could feel how hard Caleb was trying to keep a straight face, knowing Oakley hated it when she was being laughed at.His amusement and the way he struggled to contain that amusement was infectious.I can’t imagine the control it took him while I clutched a hand to my chest, holding back my laughter, but it came out as a snort.“You f*rted, Mommy!” Oakley accused, wagging her fingers at me as if I did something horrible.“I didn’t Oakley.” I denied it, biting my lips and shaking my head no.It was a struggle to keep up a straight face.It was a good thing Oakley was no longer interest

Caleb POVI woke up that morning feeling refreshed. I looked to my side, and tenderness assailed me when I saw my wife’s sleeping face up close. Cassy is sleeping with half her face resting on the pillow, allowing me a good look. Last night, I felt her apprehension. She was anxious about what would happen today, and it made me resolve to do something about it. I got up from bed, seeing that she was still asleep. I do not want to wake her with my nose. After sliding my feet into my house slippers, I grabbed my robe that I left hanging on the back of a chair to do it. Taking my phone from the bedside table, I walked the short distance to the door leading to the balcony. When I got out, I started calling a number. It answered on the first ring. “Sir?” “Gordon, I need you to up the security detail for today. My family and my in-laws are meeting my parents at the courthouse today. Make sure we have enough men to watch. Detail enough people, I don’t care, so long as they can k

Caleb POVI felt Cassy's body relaxing against mine, but it was not enough to make me complacent about our situation. We still have a lot to work on.My talk with Greg came to my mind. I knew it wasn't the right time because we still had to deal with our parents. I have no problem with the Burkes. Apart from Ellen's silent treatment earlier - which she solely directed at Cassy - I can safely say that Cassy's parents are more reasonable and open to accepting me in their fold.Still, when I said I wanted to earn Cassy's trust, it also meant earning her family's trust in the process. My relationship with Adam is slowly progressing. Now, I am working on my relationship with her parents. It was Cassy's relationship with my mother that bothers me. It would certainly ruin the trust that the Burkes placed in me if they knew how harshly and unfairly my mother treated Cassy now or in the past. To cap it off, I felt Cassy seriously needed my assurance.Not wanting to disappoint her, I cup