"Is Zach going to have time toe after us?"


    Rosie''s eyes dropped to Tara''s stomach. "When are you nning to make Zach and Reese finally break up for good?"


    Feeling that heavy stare, Tara stiffened. She looked up, her voice rough. "Let me think about it."


    "Don''t tell me you''re getting cold feet."


    No one knew Tara like her mother did. Rosie caught her hesitation in a heartbeat. "Once Zach and Reese are done, you''ll still have a shot with him. You could have your own kid together someday.


    "The doctors already said this baby isn''t healthy. They told you not to go through with it. What are you still holding onto?"


    As if understanding the words, the baby kicked restlessly inside her.


    Tara pressed her hand to her belly, her gaze tangled with emotion.


    She knew the logical thing to do; the only way to split up Reese and Zach for good was to use this baby. But every time she felt that tiny movement, she just couldn''t do it. This was her child. The first child she and Zach would have.


    "I..."


    She opened her mouth, but the words just wouldn''te. Her head dropped, eyes fixed on her stomach, her voice catching. "Mom, please... just give me a little more time. Let me think."


    Rosie''s patience was running thin. "Think? How much longer do you need?


    "Are you going to wait until Zach moves against our family, kicks us out of Bridger Lake?


    "Or until Reese divorces Sebastian and gets with Zach?


    "If you wait that long, you and Zach will have no chance left!"


    Tara didn''t answer. She buried her face in her knees, shoulders shaking.


    The living room was silent except for Rosie''s fast, heavy breathing.


    After a long while, Tara finally lifted her head, her eyes clear but sad. "Mom, I get


    it... just give me three more days. I''ll do it. I promise."


    Rosie finally let herself rx and


    pulled Tara into a gentle hug. "I know how hard this is for you honey! was young once too. I know it hurts to let go.


    "When this is over, our family will be safe, and Zach will finally be done with Reese. He''lle back to you."


    Tara stayed quiet. She just held her stomach, her eyes filling with fresh sadness. A single tear rolled down her cheek.


    No matter how much it broke her heart, she had no choice. She had to protect the family, and hold onto her ce in Zach''s world.


    The morning mist still hovered over Bridger Lake, but the old Ratcliff house was already alive with peopleing and going.


    Mr. Ratcliff''s death was a big deal in town, especially among the elite. Word barely got out before everyone started arriving to pay their respects.


    Luxury cars lined the driveway. Men and women in ck climbed the stone steps, their faces solemn as they slipped inside.


    Sebastian stood in the entryway with Robbie beside him, greeting each guest, some genuinely caring, others just looking for gossip.


    "Dad, is Moming today?"


    Robbie looked up at him, wrinkling his nose at the strong smell of cigarettes.


    Sebastian didn''t answer. He searched the crowd for a face he desperately wanted to see, but she wasn''t there. Disappointment flickered in his eyes.


    Leslie arrived wearing a simple ck dress, grief written just right on her face as she got out of the car.


    Sebastian''s expression darkened with annoyance. "Why are you here?"


    Leslie noticed, her smile freezing for a second before she pulled herself together just wanted to say


    goodbye. If it wasn''t for your


    grandfather''s help years ago,


    wouldn''t be here today. I''ll always be grateful."


    Sebastian''s stare was cold. "You shouldn''t havee."


    If Reese showed up and saw Leslie, things would only get messier.


    iel


    People nearby picked up on the tension and started ncing over, making Leslie feel even more awkward. She took a deep breath, trying to hold herself together.