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.

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

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

give her consent. She could imagine Bettie's reaction if she

staying here with me. I'll call your dad and ask him to

If Jennie lived

go back with me? That lady who picked me up from kindergarten can manage me, but not you and Tyrone. Tyrone really likes

don't want to go back right now." Update first at

confusion spreading

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

my grandma. He likes you a lot. He's

push your biological mom and Tyrone together. And there's something you might not know. Your grandma feels she needs to look out for your dad. She could be

apart from him didn't bother her. As for the baby in her belly, she supposed she and Tyrone could co-parent it

to focus on her baby. It was smarter

that exactly what grandma wants? What if that lady

me. I'll end things with him." "Guess I

comment, Jennie snuggled into

softly and gave Jennie a reassuring pat. "Go on and play with Bun. I'm

in Sabrina's arms, Jennie looked up curiously. "Where's

away on a

then gently pulled away

It was Tyrone on the line. "Is Jennie with

"Yes, she is."

frying pan with one hand and stirring with the other, Sabrina squeezed the phone between her shoulder and ear, clearly finding it awkward. "Anything

undeniable evidence of his infidelities, a constant reminder that pained Sabrina. Each time Sabrina saw Jennie, it