Waking up, a whirlwind of thoughts stormed through her mind, such as the notion of leaving.

But what about the kid?

She had missed out on four years of Nolan's life, four years during which he constantly feared she'd abandon him again.

She considered taking him with her, but those years had been filled with Fitch's tireless care, always by his side. Would Nolan even want to leave his dad?

No matter how she looked at it, it was a catch-22.

Seeing Nolan's tears now twisted her heart like a knife.

Nolan approached, tears still tracing lines down his clear, innocent eyes.

Clutched in his hand was that photo-Zoey's photo.

The memory of Fitch saying how Nolan always carried her picture with him hit her hard.

Feeling as though she had been struck in her Achilles' heel, Zoey quickly lifted her hand, gently ruffling his hair.

"I'm not leaving."

Nolan looked up, his eyes filled with cautious hope. "For real?”

The hesitation in Zoey's heart vanished in an instant, and she nodded slowly.

Nolan's eyelashes fluttered, and his tears fell even faster.

"Why the tears again?"

"Happy... Mommy... wants... Nolan."

speech so labored, no mother's heart wouldn't

of stone, thought about the circumstances of his birth

she couldn't

said she didn't want you. Something happened back then, and I forgot about you,

clung to her hand, tears still

the eyes of a

Nolan's fault...

back anymore; she pulled him onto the bed,

understanding, so much

and Carol always said

vel.net

adore such a

Cadored Nolan. Who

his own mother content

had cried out four years' worth in these

mouth, cursing her own inarticulateness, unable to voice

from Zoey, not as a teacher, but as

the children he saw on the streets, nestled innocently in their

he had to endure, had to be well-behaved, to

window in the hospital

enter, just leaned against the wall

feet felt numb from standing

he was still unsure if she wanted to stay or leave. Four years ago, he could read her emotions

made it painfully

realization was a gap in his

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