Chapter4 

Getting ready to go downstairs, she overheard Sam and Maria. 

“Sam, aren’t you happy your mom’s here ?” 

“Me and Daddy promised to take Tanya to the amusement park tomorrow. Mommy is making things awkward. It’s better if she’s not here. And Mommy is mean to Tanya. She always yells at her.” 

“But she’s your mom, it’s gonna hurt her.” 

know, but me and Daddy like Tanya better. Why can’t Tanya be my mommy?” 

Ashley couldn’t hear the rest. Her son, whom she’d raised, was now more attached to Chase. Last year, Chase came to LA for business and Sam insisted on going with him. Ashley had wanted him to stay, but she couldn’t bear to see him upset, so she agreed. 

And now… 

Ashley’s face drained of color, a chill settling in her bones. She stood there, frozen. She’d dropped 

with her 

seemed pointless time more spend everything to 

son. 

It 

now. 

She returned to her room, packing away the gifts she’d brought for them. Maria called later, saying she was taking Sam out. 

Emptiness consumed her. She’d come here hopefully, only to find herself unwanted. Her presence was a joke. 

After a while, she went out, wandering aimlessly through this city that was both familiar and alien to her. Near noon, she remembered her lunch date with Chase and Sam. She hesitated, wondering if she should go back and pick Sam up. Then, she received a text from Chase. “Emergency came up, lunch is canceled.” 

< Chapter5