A Hurt So Sweet Volume Four - Isabella Starling Page 0,59

I feel delirious as I sit at the breakfast table the next morning, watching Reign devour his breakfast.

"What's this?" he points to his food.

"It's eggs, honey," I tell him. "And some cheese and veggies. It's yummy. Why don't you try it?"

He knits his brows together, appearing uncertain, but then loads his fork up and tastes the food.

"Good," he declares, and I realize now that I have him back, my heart will be fuller every day I spend with him and Dexter.

There was no doubt in my mind when I saw Reign about who his father was. Dexter told me last night he thought the same. I watch Reign eat his breakfast just as Dexter strolls in the room, talking on his phone.

"Yes, yes, that's fine. Call me with updates," he mutters, ending the call and smiling when he sees us at the table. "That was your father."

"Is she alive?" I ask, my voice heavy. By some miracle, Lily Anna landed on a rock about a third down the cliff. The rock blocked her fall, but also broke both her legs. But the worst part was the root that pierced her body, rendering her unconscious. I don't know whether I want her dead or alive, but one thing's for sure. If she survived that fall, she'll be wishing she was dead.

"Yes," Dex nods, glancing at Reign. "In a chair, though."

I nod, knowing he doesn't want to upset Reign. "Forever?"

"Likely." Dex is about to go on when he notices Reign glancing between the two of us. "You okay there, kid?"

"Where's Mommy?" Reign asks, batting his long lashes.

I feel the words like a stab to the back. Mommy. I want to scream. Tell him she's not his Mommy, I am. But I force a smile on my lips.

"We'll explain everything, darling. She's okay."

"Will I see her again?"

My nails dig into my palms painfully. I glance at Dexter for help, and he seems as dumbfounded as me. Is it possible our son formed a bond with a monster? How long will we have to put up with it?

"Please." Reign is crying now. "I want to see Mommy again. I'm scared."

"It's okay," Dex says softly, kneeling down next to him. "We'll talk about everything. Do you want to see something?"

The boy nods, wiping the tears from his face. Dex winks at me, and I follow them down the hall, remembering the first time Dex showed me the nursery he furnished for Reign.

Since then, he has updated it every year. On Reign's birthday, like clockwork, the room was re-designed with Reign's age in mind. As if he was going to walk into the Manor any time. Sometimes I loved Dex's dedication, sometimes it unnerved me. But today, I was grateful for it. We believed he would come back, and he did. A happy, healthy boy.

Or is he?

I shake my head to get rid of the traitorous whisper in the back of my mind.

He's not a monster. Just because he spent the first years of his life with one doesn't mean he'll end up like her... I hope.

I swallow as we enter the room. The previous night, Reign slept between us in our bed. I didn't catch a wink of sleep. I was too busy counting my son's thick, heavy lashes. Admiring his rosy cheeks. I'm already as in love as I always knew I would be.

"Wow!" Reign spins around the room. "Is this for me?"

"Yes it is," Dex nods with a big grin. "Check out all your new toys. Look at this. It's a real train set."

"Wow," Reign repeats, sitting down in front of the tracks. "This is so cool."

Dex joins me and we watch him play with the trains, joining in some time later. We eat lunch a few hours after that. We can't seem to tear ourselves away from our son, but when he can't stop yawning after lunch, we realize he's probably still exhausted.

Reign doesn't even fight us as we put him down for a nap. He's fast asleep before I close the bedroom door.

Dex and I are now alone. I lean against the door of Reign's room, exhaling. Dex's palm lands on the door to the left of me and he grins.

"He's perfect." He cocks his head to the side, sensing that I'm nervous. "You okay, toy?"

I nod. I agree with him, I'm just overwhelmed by emotion yet again.

"Let's go to the bedroom," he says, hungrily grabbing my throat and bringing it to his mouth. He bites and sucks on my skin,