Jaden was crying in Lara's arms, holding her for dear life. His eyes were swollen from the desperation and tears, and his nose was wet.

?Hey,? Lara said, hugging him tighter. She sat on an armchair, trying to comfort the little boy. ?I won't leave, Jaden. Not for that criminal, for goodness.?

?But mommy, it's written there!? he exclaimed.

?It's not Jaden.?

?There's written! It's written heart!?

?How do you know?? she asked, surprised. Had Jaden learned how to read? Already? How fast could her cubs grow up?

?It's ache, then ae, and then rare...?

?You know how to read words? You're so smart, mommy's boy,? she said. ?But no matter what is written here, I won't leave.?

?Choose Nate,? Jaden repeated. ?Nate is better.?

He wiped his eyes and stared at his mother for a moment, looking for something to say in defence of the father he had pushed away till that moment.

?Nate is more handsome,? he tried. ?And he won't lock you in a dark room. He will get angry if someone does, and he will feed you yummy food all the time.?

?Ah, you think so?? Lara inquired, tilting her head curiously.

?Yes. Also, Nate can teach you how to do things. He taught me to read a little. And to write mommy's name.?

?You're growing up so fast, Jaden,? she sighed, tightening her clench.

?No. I am still little,? he said. ?I need my mommy.?

?And your mommy needs you.?

?So... You won't leave me even if you leave Nate?? he wondered.

?I won't leave either of you,? she replied.

Only later, did she realise her words and glanced around to check whether a pair of extra ears had heard it.

Nate was right behind her, carefully listening. Still, he didn't seem to react to her words. He was observing Jaden with a pensive expression. He passed a hand through his hair a moment before realising all the attention all on him.

Lara was staring, worried, while Jaden's watery eyes were communicating to him, something... a little too different from diffidence to be genuine.

?What?? he asked, moving his eyes from the son to the mother and then briefly to Scarlet on the sofa. The little girl was working on her collection with not a single worry.

Nate woke up from his gaze after a long moment, and he offered to pick up Jaden.

?I can read the other words for you,? he offered. ?Some of them are difficult for you... We will learn them all, of course. But now, just trust me, okay??

Jaden nodded, humming in affirmation.

?See? Lara Clayton.?

?That's my mommy's name.?

?And this is mine,? Nate pointed.

?Yes. Nate's name... Yours is closer to my mommy's than this other.?

?How do you know that's the name?? Nate asked.

?Because the letters are big. Like mommy's and yours.?

?I see... That's right. Big letters are used for the first letter of names and surnames.?

?Mine also? Even if I'm still little??

?Yes, of course. It's not about your size, Jaden,? Nate chuckled.

?So, mommy isn't really choosing.?

?She chose long ago,? Nate said, with a burst of pride in his lungs. He was the first to meet his mate, and Luciano Polenta wouldn't have stood a chance anytime soon.

?Also, your dad is working on ways to destr... ehm, ruin this mister here. He won't hurt you or your mommy again.?

?Are you taking revenge??

?It's not revenge, Jaden. I can't let him hurt you or your mommy or Scarlet. He's dangerous, and he wants to use you to get to me. He hurt you once. I won't let it happen again.?

Jaden's tears started falling again at the memory of that tall and black-haired man threatening his mommy. And then, again, when he kicked him away.

?It hurt,? Jaden said, leaning on Nate and telling him, for the first time, how he had felt. ?But he wanted my mommy.?

?It won't happen again,? Nate attempted to reassure the child.historical

?He wanted my mommy, but not like you. It was so scary. And my mommy didn't like his offers as she likes yours.?

?She likes mine?? Nate murmured. ?Are you sure??

?My mommy likes you. And she likes when you say something nice, even if she pretends not to hear sometimes.?

?She likes?? Nate repeated, a naughty smile drawing on his lips. ?What else does your mommy like about me??

?I don't want to tell you.?

?Eh? Why??

?Because you need to woo my mommy alone. I don't want to tell you how. Isn't it more fun if you work harder??

?Fun??

?Scarlet and I will have fun.?

?Jaden, you're being unreasonable. What if your mommy finds another man in the meantime??

?You have to be better if you don't want that.?

?Listen... What do you think about becoming a family? If I marry your mommy, we can all be together forever.?

?I don't know...?

?Your mother won't leave ever again. Not me, nor you.?

?Oh...? Jaden considered that option. Not that his mommy would be any different if she married Nate.

?Have you boys had your time talking?? Melanie asked while bringing hot chocolate with her. ?I think it's enough crying for today.?

?But Nate said he wants to marry my mommy,? Jaden explained. ?What if mommy forgets about me after??

?She won't,? Melanie said. ?I didn't forget my son even if I was married.?

?Oh, I see...?

Melanie chuckled and pinched the kid's cheek.

?And you don't like your son as much as my mommy likes me.? Jaden continued with his considerations. ?It shouldn't be dangerous.?

?Let's talk about this another time,? Nate said. ?For now, just understand that what papers say isn't as relevant. They make up things and lie so often. You better get used to it sooner, and your life will be easier.?

?Oh, okay. But then,? Jaden whispered, getting closer to Nate's ear to tell him a secret. ?But then, what about Scarlet? She believes in those so much that she's collecting them.?

Nate turned towards the sofa. The pile of paper was rising, and Lara would just observe from her place in silence.

Did Scarlet believe the newspapers? Really? To him, it looked as if she was just collecting pictures.

He sighed, a little too desperately, when Scarlet also started crying.