The Secret I Protected
Back inside the mall, Preston finally found his voice.
“Caroline.”
It barely rose above a whisper.
Lucas looked up at me.
“Mom, who is he?”
I glanced at Preston.
Five years of memories rushed through my mind.
Long nights soothing two crying infants.
Doctor appointments.
Birthday parties.
School activities.
Bedtime stories.
Every beautiful moment he had willingly missed.
I smiled gently down at my sons.
“No one you need to worry about.”
Pain crossed Preston’s face instantly.
“Please wait.”
I stopped walking but didn’t turn around.
Then he asked the question that had clearly been eating at him since the moment he saw them.
“Are they my children?”
My fingers tightened around the boys’ hands.
Before I could answer, another voice cut in.
“Preston!”
I froze.
I would have known that voice anywhere.
Eleanor Callahan.
