When Love Breaks by Jack

Watching the angel-faced toddler in front of me, it hit me that my previous fuss over him correcting how he addressed me was utterly unnecessary, and quite frankly, I might have even complicated things. Especially considering the relation within the Taylor family, when little Ike first called me “sis,” he wasn’t off the mark.

By relation, I was indeed his cousin. Realizing this, I couldn’t help but find the mix of humor and irony in the situation.

Ike, a true social butterfly even at his young age, looked up at Bella with those big, charming eyes and called out, “Auntie Bella!”

“Hey there.”

Bella responded, patting his head gently. Once Ike scampered off to the playroom, she turned to me, “You know, despite the kid having the last name Taylor, he sure takes after you – both in looks and in that charming personality.”

What she meant was, the Taylors, or more specifically, Herbert Taylor, were not exactly the most pleasant bunch.

Edith wasn’t the least bit offended. If anything, she felt like she found a kindred spirit, “You got that right, Bella! Herbert’s demeanor is as outdated as a relic from the Victorian era. Can you imagine if Ike ended up like him? I shudder at the thought!”

Bella chuckled, clearly familiar with the Taylor family saga, teasingly asking, “So, does this mean you’re considering a reunion with him?”

“Not in a million years!”

My response was firm, perhaps even a bit heated as I thought about it, “Being with him felt like being in a cage, always doubted, always questioned.”

“In what way did he doubt you?” Bella inquired, curious.

“Well…”

a snack, he’d quickly stash away any documents he was working on. I know I shouldn’t meddle in his work, but it’s not a great feeling, being treated like you’re

a woman-to-woman moment;

against by your own partner, regardless

side, Gregory was the

he’d often bring his work over to my place, taking over

told him multiple times to keep our stuff separate, worrying

he’d just look at me, all casual like, “If I’ve given you my heart, what secrets

…

and temperament were

of tea, “Is this why

was part

Not many could have done better in

nodded, a

in her voice,

burdened him with high expectations from

the Taylor family’s legacy, always calculating his every

and I paused, absorbing this new

Edith, leaving her puzzled. “He never mentioned any

Then, realizing something, she

d at Bella, surprised, “Bella,