Henry tilted his head and asked, “Why not, Grandpa?”

Hansen started to explain, but after looking at his grandson's stubborn little face, he just shook his head. “You wouldn't understand. Just don't call her that, okay?"

Lately, Mia had been obsessed with honeydew melon, so Andre picked up a few on his way home for lunch. But before Mia could even get a taste, their son had already claimed one for himself, chomping away happily.

"Dad, is Mia not home?" Andre asked.

Hansen was just as puzzled. “Our Mia's been out a lot lately. Do you think she and her friends are up to something they're not telling us about?"

Immediately, Andre called his sister. “Molly, where are you?”

“I'm at work, grinding away. What's up, Andre?"

Andre hung up, feeling only slightly better. Still, where could Mia be? She wasn't with their son, and she hadn't been out with friends, either. The Silent Ring season was over, so she couldn't be off at the gym practicing boxing. She hadn't mentioned any plans, and recently, she hadn't been acting out of the ordinary. So where was she disappearing to?

“She's not, like, seeing someone else, right?” Mars blurted out.

tailbone and a few

you can't say anything nice, maybe

missing again, so I said maybe she found someone new, and

orange and handing him a section. "Who jokes like that? Andre may have punched you, but if Mia had been

cool. "Hey, maybe I'm lucky. If I hadn't gotten hurt,


and tried to help him sit up. "Can you eat sitting down?" Mars shook his head.

really had this

stayed with him, insisting

one else was around to look after him, Milka dropped him off at the Arrowood

Milka with questions and fussed over her like she was their daughter-in-law, barely even glancing

a secret look. "I'm busy," one said. "And so am I," chimed in the other his

Milka hesitated. "But... Mars...”

him fend for himself,"

gave in and brought Mars back to

can keep each other company,” she said, pointing at Mars and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255