On the phone, Paige was still sobbing, but Jeffrey was in such agony he couldn't even straighten his back.

It felt like his heart had been ripped out, and someone was torturing him with slow, methodical cuts.

The irony was, he was utterly helpless.

As Derek drove away, Karen's sobs finally broke into a loud cry.

"Dad, I trusted him so much. I thought he wouldn't let me down!" Derek glanced at his daughter with concern. At a red light, he reached out and patted her shoulder. "Karen, I've lived a long life and still can't always see people for who they really are. How could you? When two people have had good times together, that's not nothing. If it ends, don't dwell on the bad. You're the only one who suffers that way." Karen nodded, "I'm sorry, Dad, for disappointing you." Looking back, she realized she shouldn't have called her father in such haste.

Derek was getting on in years, with the usual heart and circulatory concerns. He didn't need the stress. But at the time, all Karen could think about was breaking up, ensuring there was no way back for Jeffrey.

Or for herself.

she was afraid she'd soften, choose to trust

the love your mother and I could give. Of course,

boyfriend in time, no rush!" Karen nodded again, dabbing at

with Jeffrey had been brief, so forgetting him should be

Suddenly, Karen tensed.

hadn't been careful. The last thing she needed was a pregnancy scare. Sneaking a glance at her father, she decided to

at the

usual mature demeanor, at

be with his children, Everett ditched his business attire for casual black clothes, shedding his corporate air. He appeared more like

Over there, over there!" Abigail tugged excitedly

I'll come with you." As she was about to walk away, she heard Everett's low voice asking Langston, "Do you want

should." "Then why ask me?" Everett smiled slightly, tapping his son's head. "It's just good

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