ton family home and saw Melissa ch

rby, keeping

ly, while Melissa's eyes

aina," I said, off

move. Melis

ere, feeli

ot up and took

de her, with Nigel next to Melissa. I sat across from t

family nev

I came from a rural family with divorced parent

them, but I knew they judged m

espectful around them, but

Nigel fighting over them as kids. He'd make you cry by not sh

ed belly. "Three months left

elissa r

ry. It's been three years, and still nothing. His depart

ot me

y chopstick

if I'll ever hold a grandchild. Back then, I even thought

gel said, putting a piece of

picy food," I

nt silent fo

mplain about food," Raina said, ir

oy your meal. I have work to d

"What's a lawyer who doesn't go to court so b

an't reason with some

just joking. You're overthinking it.

a piece from a master a year in advance. She didn't even look at it and said I'm spending y

yed si

se I lack self-respect, but because I love you and wanted to honor them. But wh

s voice low and sharp. "My mom's just

meant? She thinks I'm dragging you down by not giving you a kid. She wants you wi

ulous," Nigel snapp

id I?" I replie

id. "I didn't think you'd be so petty. Mom was right. Go home and thi

lazing sun, my hear