Chapter 31

Bad things always seemed to happen at once. After playing with Serena, Paisley was putting her down for a nap when the doorbell rang. Dominick and Grayson stood on her doorstep.

"How did you find me?" Paisley blurted, immediately realizing the absurdity. Dominick's connections, and Serena's school enrollment, made it too easy.

Paisley, dressed in a pink loungewear set, her long hair cascading around her bare shoulders, looked utterly natural and unguarded in the afternoon sunlight. Dominick froze, taking her in. Time seemed to stop.

"Can I help you?" Paisley's voice was cool.

Dominick snapped back. "Are we doing this at the door?"

Paisley sighed, glancing at her neighbors. "Fine, come in."

Dominick entered, Grayson trailing silently. Dominick surveyed the neat apartment, noting the cozy details: the beige couch, the pink flowers matching Paisley's outfit, the half-read book. He pictured Paisley curled on that couch, a familiar ache twisting in his chest. He quickly shifted his gaze to the photos of Paisley and Serena, each picture radiating a warmth he hadn't seen in years.

"Take your shoes off," Paisley said, interrupting his reverie.

Dominick complied, his jaw tight as he saw the slippers Paisley had laid out. Who are these for? he wondered, his suspicions a bitter taste.

"What are you doing here?" Paisley asked, cutting through the tension.

Dominick's tone was cold, but insistent. "I'm leaving town tonight. You'll watch Sonny while I'm gone."

Paisley frowned. "Why? Send him to your parents or Marissa." She was done with their world.

"Paisley, you're Grayson's mother," Dominick reminded her, his voice low.

Before he could continue, Grayson, his eyes red-rimmed, spoke. "She's not my mom! She left us with nothing! I don't want her!"

Paisley raised an eyebrow at Dominick. Did you hear that?

Dominick's face hardened. "Grayson, don't talk to your mother like that."

"I'm done," Paisley said. "Leave."

Grayson, still tearful, clung to Dominick. "I don't like it here. It's smaller than my playroom. Dad, let's go. I want Marissa."

Paisley watched them, a quiet sadness in her eyes. The memory of a parent-teacher event flooded back. She'd arrived to find Dominick and Marissa with Grayson, Marissa acting as his mother. Grayson had screamed, clinging to Marissa, rejecting Paisley. That was the day she lost hope in their marriage. But now, it didn't matter anymore. They couldn't hurt her.

Serena's soft voice broke the silence. "Mommy, do we have guests?" She ran to Paisley, burying her face in her leg, clearly frightened.

Paisley knelt, reassuring her. "Don't worry, sweetheart. They're just visiting."

Dominick watched, the word "guest" grating on him.

Serena, relieved, looked at Dominick. "Hello, sir. Welcome to my home."

Despite himself, Dominick softened. "Thanks, Serena."

Serena, still clinging to Paisley, turned to Grayson. "Hi, Grayson."

Grayson blinked, surprised she didn't call him Sonny. Good riddance, he thought.