âMommy, are you leaving again?â Elena asked, tears streaming down her face.
âI missed you so much.
Now that youâre finally back, I donât want you to go.
Mommy, please stay, okay?â
Dylanâs eyes were filled with tears too.
He looked at me, pleading, âMommy, canât you stay?â
I felt like crying.
With this situation unfolding, I didnât know how to explain it to the kids.
After a moment of hesitation, I said helplessly, âI came at a bad time today.
I promise Iâll come see you again.
Alright?â
The children shook their heads immediately, refusing to let go of my hands.
âMommy, please donât go.
â
Debraâs POV:
I found myself torn.
Leaving the children was the last thing I wanted, yet the current situation left me at a loss.
Suddenly, the echo of hurried footsteps filled the air.
Before I could react, a firm grip seized my hand, rendering me immobile.
I pivoted to face Caleb, his expression wrought with anxiety.
âDebra,â Caleb began, his breaths quick and urgent.
âItâs not what it seems.
I need to explain.
â
Speech eluded me.
I took in his disheveled appearance, recalling the compromising scene of him and Alexandria together.
A nagging familiarity stirred within me.
Was Caleb truly a playboy?
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
No wonder he hadnât seemed distraught after I disappeared, or elated upon my return.
It all made sense now.
With a steely resolve, I cut him off.
âSave your breath.
I donât want to hear it.
â
I made a move to depart, but Caleb persisted, seizing my hand in a frantic plea.
âDebra, please listen.
Itâs not what you thinkââ
I cut him off with a cold demeanor, a hint of sarcasm tainting my words.
âAnd what else could it possibly be, Caleb? I saw it with my own eyes.
How can you deny it so confidently? Cheating on me and then lying without a flinch.
â
âYou misunderstood me.
I didnât cheat on youâ¦â Caleb attempted to defend himself.
As I struggled to break free, Alexandria, now dressed, descended the stairs.
Despite her outward composure, there was an air of discomfort about her.
She approached, her voice soft with sincerity.
âLuna, itâs not what you believe.
Last night was an accident.
Please, trust Alpha.
â
Her words rang sincere.
However, the sight of her disheveled appearance, coupled with the telltale marks on her chest, shattered the last remnants of trust I held for Caleb.