Page 52 of All That She Needs

Her words hit me hard, but I knew she was too young to understand how deep the hurt went. "Love doesn't mean letting someone hurt you over and over, Chloe. There must be a line. A boundary. Your father crossed that line, and the damage he caused is too deep to repair. He hurt me, and whether you see it or not, he hurt you and Kayden too, by neglecting us for months. He betrayed our trust, and that is not something we can simply overlook. Trust is sacred, Chloe. It's not just a word. It’s a promise that binds us together. It should be cherished, honored, and, above all, respected. I know you're young, and grasping this is a challenge, but this isn't a situation we can accept without consequence. Sometimes, love means making the hardest choices to protect what truly matters."

"But I thought families were supposed to stay together." She sobbed harder, covering her face with her hands. "You said that all the time."

God, my heart aches so much for her. "You're not losing your dad, Chloe." I said, my tone softening. "We'll work out thetime you spend with him. He'll still be in your life. If he's true to his word and really tries to make up for his mistakes, then he'll find a way to prove it to you."

Chloe looked down, biting her lip as she processed my words. "But what if it's too hard to do it with him so far away?"

I rose from my seat and moved to her, a desperate need to hold her swelling within me. I wanted to absorb her pain, to carry it for her if I could. Leaning down, I wrapped my arms around her, pressing my cheek into the top of her head. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I whispered, "Then he didn't try hard enough, honey. And that means he doesn't deserve you. But even if that happens, you're going to be strong, sweety. You'll find the strength to rise above it, and you're going to grow up to be a remarkable young woman who makes me proud. I'm already so proud of you."

I held her tightly, wishing I could shield her from the hurt, to take on her pain as my own so she wouldn't have to bear it alone. I wanted her to know that it was okay to feel hurt, but also to understand that she could overcome it.

I promised myself that I would always prove that my love for both Chloe and Kayden was unwavering—no matter the challenges. I would always strive to give a love strong enough, big enough, to embody both roles as their parent. I wanted them to know that they could always count on me, that my support and devotion would never falter, and that our bond as a family was something I would always prioritize and cherish.

Kayden, who had remained silent during the entire conversation, observed me and Chloe as we embraced. I noticed the tears glistening in his eyes, and when he wiped them away, he managed to put on a small smile. Our eyes met, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

I reached out my hand to him, and he immediately took it, his grip firm and steady. "Want to join and give us a hug?"

Chloe looked up at her brother, reaching out her hand to him as well.

Kayden rose slowly from his seat, his effort to maintain his composure clear. He was on the verge of breaking down, but to my surprise, he walked over to us, his long arms spreading wide to envelop both Chloe and me.

"We're going to be fine," he mumbled, his voice slightly shaky but filled with determination. "The three of us. We're going to be fine."

Part 28: Asha

I came home utterly exhausted that day. The meetings had dragged on endlessly, filled with tough decisions and numbers that never seemed to add up. Every discussion felt like it went in circles, with everyone contributing, but no actual progress being made. When I finally arrived home, I had to muster the energy to hop out of the car. My entire body felt heavy as I trudged through the front door. Kicking off my shoes, I froze, catching a familiar voice that didn't belong to Sandy or the kids.

"Ma?" I called, a surge of surprise pushing me forward. My pace quickened as I moved through the house. "Is that you?"

"Asha," my mother's familiar voice responded from the kitchen.

I hurried in to find her sitting on the kitchen island with Kayden and Chloe, just finishing their dinner. "When did you get here?" I asked, wrapping her in a hug. "Why didn't you call to let me know?"

She lived three hours away by car, so she always relied on the train for her visits, as it took her a lot faster. I usually would buy her the ticket, and either Roy or Brody would pick her up at the station each time. This wasn't the kind of trip she would make without notice—there was always a plan in place, a call beforehand to coordinate everything. But today, she just showed up, unannounced, and that didn't sit right with me. It wasn't like her, and the unease in my gut grew stronger. Something aboutthis visit felt off, like there was more to it than she was letting on. Suspicion crept in.

"I missed my grandchildren," she said with a soft smile, pinching Chloe's rosy cheek as Chloe leaned closer to her.

"Did you take the train?" I asked, my words measured, my gaze locked onto her.

She shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "Yes."

"Who's picking you up from the station?" I pressed, my tone sharpening.

This time, she met my eyes. "Someone from Aiden's office picked me up."

My breath caught in my throat as I took a step back. "W... what?" I stammered.

She sighed; her face tensed. "We had a chat on the phone..."

"Ma..." I breathed, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

"He told me he doesn't live here anymore."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Betrayal and disappointment surged through me, leaving me momentarily speechless. I swallowed hard, trying to collect myself, my mind racing with what to say next. But I knew one thing for sure—I didn't want Kayden and Chloe involved in this conversation.

"Kayden, Chloe," I said, my voice strained. "Go to your room. I need to talk to your grandma alone."

The kids hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances before nodding and heading upstairs. I waited until their footsteps faded before turning back to my mother, the silence between us thick with tension.

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