Dear Sweetheart novel

The men’s faces were swollen and covered in bruises, and Rayna deduced that Curtis’ subordinates must have shown no mercy.

“Sorry you had to go through this.”

She paid them double and told them they could leave before departing, returning to the company to deal with some matters.

When it was five in the evening, she drove to the residential area Curtis lived in, but instead of going in, she called Carl. “Pack your things. I’m waiting for you at the entrance of the residential area.”

“Sure,” said Carl without asking her why. A few minutes later, Rayna saw him coming out with a suitcase. Lucky was trailing behind the little boy, wagging its tail.

Rayna got out of her car and placed his suitcase in the trunk. Then, she looked at the dog. “He can’t come with us.”

“Why?” Carl really wanted to bring the dog with him, so he pleaded, “Please, Ms. Rayna. Let him come with us. Mr. Curtis never takes him around for walks. That’s just sad.”

For a moment, Rayna wanted to relent, but she gritted her teeth and said with determination, “No. He belongs to Curtis. Take him back.”

“But Ms. Rayna—”

“One more word and I’m leaving you behind as well.”

Taking note of Rayna’s cold expression and her non-negotiable tone, Carl lowered his head and despondently brought the dog back. A moment later, he came back looking dejected.

Rayna took him back to the condominium. She had informed Jessica about Carl staying temporarily in the room next to hers, and Jessica agreed to the arrangement.

After the boy settled down, Rayna was about to take him to Kristie’s place.

Larissa had just returned from her grocery run and was about to make dinner. The first thing she saw upon opening the door was a boy standing next to Rayna. Stunned, she asked, “Ms. Garland, who is this?”

“My friend’s kid. He’ll be staying with me for a while. He might come here a lot, so you probably have a bit of extra work ahead of you.”

politely, “Hi, ma’am.

you’re a good boy, Carl.” Larissa patted his head. “Come in. So what would you like

make dinner tonight. You can go

I’ll be

expected Rayna to make dinner, so she left after telling the latter there was chicken soup in the kitchen. Rayna would often come to visit, and every time she

who heard some noise outside, emerged from her

Her mood improved, her morning sickness had subsided, and she even gained a little weight. After just

and introduced, “This is Ms. Jessica. She’s

with a juvenile voice and asked, “Aunt Kristie is staying here, isn’t she? But

You’ll see her once

sleeping? Is she not feeling

explained, “She insisted that I watch a scary movie with her last night, and she got so spooked that she couldn’t sleep the whole night. I saw her still scrolling Twitter when I woke up in the middle of the night. She went to catch some sleep after

Jess, you’re pregnant. You should at least take good care of yourself. Do you think horror movies are good

she wouldn’t let me sleep either.” Jessica shrugged. “And it was a zombie movie. It

Words eluded Rayna.

it good? I want to watch

Come. I’ll put

“Okay!”

bring Carl to the living room before shaking her head

friend out, she said, “I thought he was fine staying

care of him. Aside from Mr. Faymon’s dog, Carl had no one else to play with. But if I bring him here,

pause later, Jessica asked, “Are you all right,

“Yes. Carl isn’t, though.”

way, and how

there was nothing but shock and befuddlement in her eyes.

Xaviers are good friends, and that Selena is Noel’s only daughter. If I tried to harm Selena, the Nicholsons would be out for

“He was trying to protect you. He didn’t want you

make