The Day I Kissed An Older Man by Cher the Cherished

‘Joey’s still so young. He doesn’t even know he’s just Anya’s pawn, yet he has to suffer through all those beatings. He must be traumatized…’

Corinne stroked Joey’s head fondly. “Don’t worry, Joey. I promise no one will ever lay a finger on you anymore.”

Joey rested his cheek on Corinne’s shoulder and felt a sense of security and safety, which he never felt before. No matter what, he trusted Corinne and her promise completely.

…

Corinne carried Joey to the dining room where the servants had laid out a lavish breakfast spread.

Jason had already started eating. He smiled when he saw her walking in. “Why are you here alone with the kid? Where’s Jeremy?”

Corinne sat a few seats away from Jason before answering, “He’s putting on his clothes and will be here soon.”

“Oh.” Jason picked up his glass of milk and took a sip to hide his disappointment.

conversation, so she positioned Joey at the crook of her elbow before feeding him a bite of the omelet. No one ever taught him to use utensils before, so he

with his hand since Phoebe did not have

his mouth wide to eat the omelet. It was the best thing he had ever eaten

Jason with an inscrutable

a tissue to wipe away the sauce at the corner of Joey’s lips. She did

quite surprised,” he

surprised Jeremy is here?” Corinne asked

at her. “I’m quite surprised you can so readily accept a child, who was

froze mid-air. After a moment of silence, she turned to look at him. “I’d be lying if I said I see him as my own, but what I can say is I feel sorry for him. After all, he’s innocent in all

Though

he was trying to say, but before she could ask him

why would you feel sorry