Scars Of A Broken Bond by Calv Momose

Sabrina walked in, slipped into her slippers, and settled onto the sofa.

Jennie trailed behind, a shadow of nerves, standing next to the couch, her hands tight, eyes cast downward in a mix of guilt and fear.

"Why didn't you go back with the driver? Why come here by yourself?" Sabrina's voice held a chill.

Tears welled up in Jennie's eyes, making them red and blurry. "I didn't want to go back," she murmured, her voice thick with sadness.

"And why's that?"

"Because... That lady picked me up from kindergarten, and everyone saw her. They started saying I was a child born out of wedlock..." Her tears spilled over, glistening on her cheeks like dewdrops.

With eyes brimming with tears and a look of timid hope, Jennie pleaded, "Please, Sabrina, don't dislike me. I'll do whatever you say. I won't upset you. I promise to be good..."

With that, Jennie burst into tears again.

Sabrina watched the frightened Jennie before her, so eager to be loved yet so scared of rejection. She felt a surge of remorse. How could she possibly feel anything but fondness for such a sweet and thoughtful child?

Jennie relied heavily on her. Sabrina couldn't bring herself to resent or leave Jennie behind. Jennie was blameless. She didn't get to pick her family.

Sabrina's grip on her thighs tightened a bit. She pulled Jennie closer and tenderly wiped away her tears. "Stop crying, Jennie. I don't dislike you."

Like a little cat, Jennie pawed at Sabrina's hand. With tears still in her eyes and a sniffly nose, she whimpered, "For real?'

"Yes, for real," Sabrina replied, her heart softening. "I'm upset with Tyrone, but you, I could never despise."

Sabrina's anger was directed at Tyrone for having a child with another woman, not at the child herself.

tightly and wept. "I don't want to stay at

always so well-behaved and thoughtful, had never cried this hard

she didn't give her consent. She

moment, Sabrina suggested, "Jennie, I don't think your biological mom would be okay with you staying here with me. I'll call your dad and ask him to take you back

best course of action. If Jennie lived

not going back to Starriver Bay? Could you go back with me? That lady who picked me up from kindergarten can manage me, but not you and Tyrone. Tyrone

want to go back right now." Update first at

Jennie blinked, confusion spreading across her

more to it. "Your grandma is trying to set up your biological

doesn't listen to my grandma. He likes you a

Tyrone together. And there's something you might not know. Your grandma feels she needs to look

As for the baby in her belly, she supposed she and Tyrone could co-parent it after she gave birth to

her troubles. Now pregnant, Sabrina craved a peaceful life and wanted to focus on her baby. It was smarter to let everyone believe she and Tyrone were truly apart. That way, they'd leave

said, "But isn't that exactly what

smiled gently. "If Tyrone chooses to let that happen, then he's not the one for me. I'll end things with him." "Guess I can't

Jennie

with Bun. I'm going to cook, and I'll have

in Sabrina's arms, Jennie looked up curiously.

on

gently pulled away from Sabrina.

her phone rang. It was Tyrone on the

"Yes, she is."

by his call. "Sure, you can come over." Juggling the frying pan with one hand and stirring with the other, Sabrina squeezed the phone between her shoulder and ear, clearly finding it awkward. "Anything else? If not, I need to hang

quickly. He assumed Jennie was undeniable evidence of his infidelities, a constant reminder that pained Sabrina. Each time Sabrina saw Jennie, it reopened old