That morning, Lara's phone started ringing early. It was around half past eight, but she had thought she could sleep longer for once.

She sighed, getting up to look for where she left that annoying device. She didn't want to wake up the cubs or Nate, so she rummaged in a hurry but couldn't find it.

Who in the world could have a reason to call her Saturday morning? She didn't have friends, and the company wouldn't need her that urgently. After all, she was sleeping at the CEO's house.

When she finally found the phone, it was late. Not that she regretted it, but at least the sound had stopped. Too late, for the cubs were sitting on the bed and looking at her. The scent of breakfast came from the kitchen, a sign that Nate was up as well.

?At least I didn't disturb him,? she murmured, walking back to the bed and kissing the twins' heads. ?Good morning, mommy's cubs.?

?Good morning, mommy,? Jaden murmured while Scarlet rubbed her eyes and looked around, lost. It took her a while to realise they were in Nate's home.

They got up and strolled after Lara, half-sleeping on the way.

Seeing that scene, Nate chuckled. He finished warming the food and left everything on the table, ready to take care of his sleepy family.

Lara was more vigil than usual because of the call, but the pups looked at him in search of inspiration. Their hands moved slowly as they reached out for food, and he could take his time to observe that rare scene: the twins eating without hurry because they were more tired than hungry.

He served pancakes for Lara, but then he noticed her mood. She was staring at the phone, her eyes and expression neutral but her back straight and her blood cold. He could smell the chilly sweat running down her shoulders and the anxiety in her breath.

It hadn't been a call from someone she liked, apparently.

?Hey,? he said, attracting her attention. ?Everything all right??

Suddenly, she was awake. She didn't need any more sleep, but the turmoil in her stomach didn't allow her to eat.

She stared at the food in silence, wondering if it would have been too impolite to refuse to eat.

?Hm-mh,? she moaned, too nervous to talk.

?I can sense it, Lara,? he pointed out, dragging a chair next to her and sitting by her side. The pups were as sleepy as to forget to surround their mommy, but it was the wrong moment to think about it.

His mate was suffering, and he wanted to find out the reasons.

?The call...? she breathed heavily and with difficulty. ?It's from my mother.?

Nate nodded, finding it a little too coincidental.

?I didn't make it in time to answer,? she said. ?But I don't know what I could tell her if I did.?

?You don't need to answer to her, Lara. She's the one cutting ties with you.?

?Yes, but... There must be a reason if she called.?

?That's right,? he sighed. ?But after all they've done to you, you don't owe them anything.?

?I'm not angry at my parents for how they treated me,? she considered. ?It's not very important... I'm disappointed because they didn't want to meet the twins nor know anything about their grandchildren. No matter what I did, they are innocent.?

?No,? Nate said.

His face muscles twitched at hearing the woman's words, and he wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her until she realised. Why in the world was she like that?historical

Oh, it would have been easier if she was spoiled, needy, and arrogant. He would have given her everything she needed to keep her mood high, in that case.

But with a woman like her, he couldn't just tell her she would be right to blame her parents, that she was good enough and deserved everything he wanted to give her.

?You didn't do anything bad, Lara. In this day and age, who in the world would throw their kid out because of that??

?I... Ehm... I guess my parents... They have always dreamt of being part of high society. My brother and I had to be perfect, not to pay for our carelessness later. That's why I was forbidden from causing scandals... Even though no one would pay attention if I did, it has always been like that. I had to be the perfect daughter, but I disappointed them.?

?They made a mistake, and one day they will regret it,? he said.

But then, he realised they were already regretful.

He had asked Lara out without thinking of the consequences, for he assumed he could protect her from everything, but she was a woman full of scars. Even if she was so good at hiding it, her heart was in pain and wounded.

Something as trivial as a phone call was enough to make her feel awful.

?Hey,? he whispered, caressing her cheek. ?They didn't call for six years... It's late now, isn't it? It's your choice, Lara. You're an adult, and you know what is better. I just want you to remember you have the right to refuse to talk with them.?

?They are my parents,? she said.

?And you are the twins' parent. You have them to think of, now.?

Said twins had stopped eating and were staring at the two. They saw how Nate sat next to their mommy, how he touched her without a second thought, but they didn't interrupt their discussion. Somehow, they knew it was better not to.

?I won't reply,? she decided in the end. ?I don't think I can face my family now. Maybe, one day...?

?Fine,? Nate said. ?You can block that number so that you don't see future calls. It will do you no good if they call again.?

?I will,? she said. ?Also, it was probably a call by mistake. I can't imagine what my mother would want to tell me.?

?I can't either,? Nate said. He could suspect, though. ?You deserve some calm, Lara.. Don't think about it too much.?