Page 43

“He does. And he doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. He doesn’t even want anyone to know.”
“Did you take him to court?” I ask, getting heated for her.
“He told me that if I kept my mouth shut, he’d send child support. All under the table, unofficial. Literal envelopes of cash left on my desk.”
I sit up. “He gave you cash in an envelope?”
She nods slowly. That way it wasn’t traceable. Every week I’d come in on Monday to a stack of cash. Until…it stopped.”
“What do you mean stopped?”
Rosilyn is smiling but it's a sad smile. “I came in one Monday and the entire office was in an uproar. Rob, as it turned out, had quit. He didn’t give any notice, didn’t tell anyone where he was going. He was just gone. And on my desk, was one last envelope. But this time, along with the cash, there was a letter inside the envelope. All it said was that he couldn’t do it anymore.”
“And he was just gone?”
“He was just gone.”
I lean back, letting out a breath. “Jesus Christ.”
“Luckily I’ve found a new job. It pays well so we are fine. I actually saved all the money Rob had given me and was able to use it as a downpayment for our townhouse here. But yeah. It’s wild.”
“No shit.” I shake my head.
“You know what’s bad?” Rosilyn leans in. “I feel more sorry for myself than I do for Luca. Like I think I actually thought Rob might care about me. But obviously he didn’t. But that will never happen again. Next time, the man I give my heart to will stay. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Good for you.” I nod, still trying to wrap my brain around all of it.
“Yep,” she smiles again. “Nothing will get in my way when I’m in love.”
That night, Jaxon falls asleep with ease. Nothing like playing hard in the sunshine and a sugar crash to wear you out. After a bath and a bedtime story, he falls asleep before the book is even over and I set it aside, giving him a kiss on the cheek before walking out.
I love him. But I also love the quiet that falls over the house when he’s in bed. While he is my whole life, my whole reason for being who I am, I find myself again in the quiet moments. It’swhen I write, both my blog and journaling that it is only for me. I’ve even thought about publishing my own work from time to time. The idea of writing words for myself instead of words that I am selling to someone else sounds like a distant dream as a writer.
I make myself a cup of Earl Gray tea, change into comfy clothes and sit down on the couch with my laptop. I should be working on the article, but honestly, I could really just use a break right now. Maybe I’ll write some poetry–
A sudden crash makes me jump. It’s after 9pm and pitch black outside save for the moonlight and a few soft porch lights. Usually this neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. But whatever that was, was enough to make me leap out of my own skin.
It was a crash right outside my door. On my doorstep even. Almost like something being thrown against the door itself.
I get up and check on Jax, who is still fast asleep. I double check that his window is locked and pad my way back to the living room. Maybe it was just a bird or something, flying into the door. Maybe it was teenagers. Maybe–
A smack against the window of the kitchen makes me yelp. I cover my mouth with my hand so I don’t wake Jax. Then, slowly, I walk over to the window. My mouth drops in horror when I see the glass is cracked. Still, I don’t see anything or anyone. But it definitely wasn’t in my head. And I don’t think it was a drive-by either because this window doesn’t face the street. It’s within the gated yard out back, actually.
I back up, and go in Jax’s room. Then I close the door and lock it before crawling into bed with him. With trembling hands, I call Ethan.
Chapter 16
Ethan
“Slow down,” I instruct Izzy over the phone. Meanwhile, I flip the bedroom lights on in search of pants. “What do you mean you think someone is trying to break in?”
“I heard a loud bang against the front door and then something cracked the window in the kitchen,” she rattles off, her voice cracking with tears.
“Is Jax okay?” I ask as I tug a shirt over my head.
“Yes, he’s still asleep.”
I feel a wave of relief, though I’m still on edge. “Okay good. Stay with him. Did you call the police?”