Jacob held me as my breathing began to even out, his arms a steady, safe place where I could finally let go of the weight suffocating me.
It was strange, being this close to him.
Strange because it felt so right.
Like somehow… my heart had known him before my mind ever caught up.
I could feel his steady heartbeat against my shoulder, feel the way he was being so careful not to hold me too tightly, like he knew just how much pressure could break me right now.
Hearing my mother speak brought me back to reality.
In our native language, her voice soft and a little broken, she said,
“My attorney says your ex is in serious trouble… for neglecting and abusing Lucky. They want to give me shared custody, but only if you get out before the end of the year. Only then can they transfer full cus
