Page 96 of After the Vows

Knowing Chloe and Natalia will soon follow me has me rushing home to deal with my ex. Holly is no longer my family. My real family is at the amusement park. And the two shall not meet.

I won’t allow my ex to hurt my family. I don’t care what I have to do.

Chapter 31

Cookies – the solution to all your problems

Chloe

Natalia moans and I tighten my arm around her. “Do you need to stop?”

“Wanna go home.”

Guilt swamps me. I never should have let Natalia talk me into letting her ride theSea Serpent Coasteragain. Her getting sick all over my shoes is my penance for trying to get her to love me the way I love her.

“We’ll be there soon,” Lily says from the driver’s seat.

“Thank you for picking us up.”

“No need to thank me. I’m always there if you need me.” She turns around to smile at Natalia. “The same goes for you, kiddo. If you need anything, ring me.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Milton.”

“You can call me Lily, Grandma Lily, or Grandma.”

Lily is the best. Forcing Sophia to be my best friend in kindergarten was the best idea I ever had.

“Huh. Strange,” she says when we turn into our street.

“What is it?”

“There’s an unknown car in your driveway.”

I peer out of the window and notice there’s a car in the driveway as well as Lucas’s truck. Shouldn’t he be at the station handling whatever emergency came up?

Lily pulls to a stop in front of the house. “I’ll wait here for a few minutes.”

“There’s no need. Everything will be fine.”

“Nevertheless.”

I don’t argue. Lily will do what she wants to anyway. Besides, I need to get Natalia inside. She has more color in her face but she’s still clutching her stomach and moaning.

I slide out of the car and gather Natalia in my arms. “Almost there, kiddo.”

“I’m sorry, Clo-Clo.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. It’s not your fault you got sick.”

I open the door with my shoulder as I carry Natalia inside. It’s a good thing I have experience carrying six grocery bags into the house at one time or I’d probably drop her.

I freeze at the entrance when I realize Lucas is standing in the living room facing off with a woman.

“Chloe, Natalia?” Lucas asks. “What are you doing here?”

“Natalia wasn’t feeling well.”

He rushes forward to take Natalia from my arms but she slaps away his hands. “Mom?”

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