WINTER:This was supposed to be a family photo shoot, but the atmosphere was heavy. It was difficult to smile in front of the camera seeing how your Dad's body shivered because of the pain. His weight dropped even more. And even Liam could sense that his grandfather was sick.“Eyes on the camera, please,” the photographer ordered. “This is tiring, Winter,” Dad declared, trying to show his smile.Putting my hand on Liam's shoulder, I retorted, “This will be quick before you know it, Dad. Please hold on.”For the first photo, we wore a white sleeve paired with jeans. It was only with Dad, Liam, and me. The next shoot was with Cali, Dad, Liam, and me and we wore neutral colors. The makeup stylists had done a great job of covering the bruises that started to show on Cali and Hawk's bodies. Hawk was already part of the third photoshoot.“Are we good now?” I asked, seeing the tiredness in Dad’s eyes. He was only forcing himself to attend this photoshoot for me and Liam.“Yes, Miss Winter.

WINTER:My heart hammered against my chest. I was not good at confrontations and if I had the chance, I always avoided it. Just like what was happening now. “What do you mean by that?” I asked even if I already knew what it was. A lot has been going on lately that I forgot some people in my life. I admit there were times when my focus was on Calcifer. “You don't know, Miss Winter?”“Y-you can enlighten me, Hawk.”He smiled sadly. "Is it just me, Miss Winter or you already forgot that I am still your bodyguard? Because right now, I don't feel it. I already feel that I am useless in our life. Guarding you. Protecting you is the only thing that I am good at, but when your ex-husband enters the equation in your life, I no longer feel that I am important.""Of course, you're still my bodyguard, Hawk. You're the best bodyguard I could ever have. I will always want your protection. I want you to work with me until Liam is capable of protecting himself.""Am I?""Yes, you are.”My heart br

WINTER:I was staring at the empty wall when Hawk stepped out of the room. My heart continued to bleed like crazy. He was still here, but the pain was tremendous. Where was Cali? I hoped he was here so that my mind would divert into something else. After Hawk’s visit, I lost the energy to go out to have a family dinner. A couple of minutes passed when another knock resounded. Finally. I was certain it was Cali. When I opened the door, I was already expecting that it was him. However, I still could not help but smile seeing how smoking hot he looked. He looked so dashing wearing his polo and trousers. He smelt good, too. He smelt expensive. Seeing his face made me temporarily forget my worries about Hawk. “Calcifer. You looked good. You should be thankful that you’re this handsome. If not, I would be scolding you right now for being late.” His eyes widened upon seeing me. Dang it. “Pumpkin.”I shifted my weight from foot to foot. Did he see my puffy eyes? I should have checked

WINTER:My blood was boiling as we left the dining room. I could still remember how their eyes widened when I just left like that. Huh. They did not know that I could be rude to people I don't even like. I mean why would I stay in the same place with people who did not even know me to begin with?And let's not start with Calcifer. How dare he lie to me? He put me in a tight situation. It was a wise decision that I did not prepare that much. Or else, I would be a laughing stock in that family. "Mommy, why did we leave early?" Liam asked right away. "We haven't said our goodbyes to them, yet."What I was thankful for right now was Liam was oblivious. "I'm sorry, Liam. It's just that I am not feeling well right now."Liam stopped, went to my front and stared at me with wide eyes. "Let's ask for medicine, Mommy. Why is Daddy not with us?""He is talking to his family, first." I hoped he would take his time talking to his family. I was also mad at him. “He will be with us in a minute