Page 201 of My Ruthless Husband

“Yes!” they both say in unison, rushing toward me and hugging me.

I let them. Let them follow me, let them help me in mundane things. Because with them, it doesn’t feel as empty, as lonely anymore. And I can’t figure out if that’s a good thing or not.

Few months later…

It’s my Papà’s birthday, and all I want is to be alone. That’s why I didn’t go wash cars or mow lawns today—I just need to spend this day by myself, away from everyone and everything.

It’s early, and I doubt Raleigh or Summer are even awake. Still, I tiptoe quietly toward the door.

“Where are we going?” Summer’s voice comes from behind, making me jump out of my skin.

I don’t answer right away, just pull my hoodie tighter around myself and try to calm my breathing.

She tugs on my sleeve, looking up at me with those big eyes of hers. “Damian, are we going to the park again?”

I glance down at her, my gaze sharp. “Weare not going anywhere. I am.”

“But we’re best friends!” Raleigh pipes up, grinning like an idiot as he joins us.

“Some other time, guys.” I turn to leave, but they call my name in unison.

I face them, eyes narrowing. “Keep it down!”

“Please, Damian!” Summer whisper-shouts.

I am about to refuse her plea and Raleigh catches on, his shoulders slumping in an overly defeated gesture. “It’s fine,” he mutters, tugging Summer away with a heavy, exaggerated sigh.

They’re putting on a show, and I’m not buying a second of it. The second I turn my back, they’ll be right behind me.

Now that they caught me leaving, I can’t just leave them behind. They’d only sneak out and follow me anyway—just like they did a month ago.

“Fine,” I relent. Instantly, the act drops. Both of them burst into grins, rushing toward me with barely contained excitement.

I fix them both with a stern look. “But stay close. No wandering off. Understand?”

They both nod eagerly.

I told myself I wanted to be alone today, that I needed the silence to feel close to Papà, especially on his birthday. Every year, I spend the day alone. But now, with Raleigh and Summer tagging along, chatting away and stumbling over rocks like littlekids, their energy fills the empty void. I won’t say it out loud, not to them, not even to myself, but I feel an unusual sense of comfort. They distract me just enough, reminding me that even on a day meant for mourning, life has a way of reaching in with small, irritating, but strangely welcoming reminders that I’m not completely alone.

And just like that… a year passes.

I’d gotten used to the routine. The occasional odd job, the hours spent doing things that were supposed to fill the hole inside me. But nothing could replace what I had found here. In Raleigh and Summer.

They were the closest thing I had to family, and I had grown protective of them. A year of watching them grow, watching them lean on me when things got hard. Watching Raleigh try to become a man in his own way, even at just nine. Watching Summer’s passion for colors and the way she finds joy in the simplest things.

But then came the day when I was adopted. At thirteen. I could hardly wrap my head around it. I’d seen enough of the system to know how rare it was for older kids like me to get adopted. We were the ones left behind, passed over for the newborns.

Saying goodbye to Summer and Raleigh was hard. Harder than I thought. For some reason, I had simply thought we would always stay together. Even in this shithole. The idea of running away was long forgotten because of them. But this… this was something else. I was being adopted. And though for my future, it was the best thing, I wasn’t thrilled.

I grabbed Raleigh’s shoulder as he stood, watching me. I could see the way he was trying to hold himself together. The way he always tried to be strong, even though he was a kid.

“Raleigh…” I said, my voice coming out rougher. “Listen to me.”

I remembered Papà’s words.

“You are a man, now, Raleigh. Do you know what that means?”

He looked up, his eyes uncertain. “No.”

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