Chapter 99

My head felt like it was about to explode, scattering fragments of my sanity across the living room. Peace? Nonexistent.

Thoughts raced through my mind like a relentless storm. Unstoppable. Unyielding. It was driving me to the brink of madness.

"Alright, Elizabeth, focus on the dichotomous key and the insects we're studying," I instructed one of my tutoring students. "Mastering this means paying attention to both."

I'd hoped teaching would distract me. I was wrong. My mind kept drifting, no matter how hard I tried to anchor it.

Elizabeth nodded, signaling she understood.

"The first characteristic—large wings versus small or no wings. What’s the answer?"

She studied the textbook, hesitating at first before finally speaking. "Only the butterfly has large wings here, so it goes under that category."

I smiled, relieved she grasped it. "Good. The rest fall under small or no wings. Since there are many, we'll subdivide further. What should the next categories be?"

Her gaze flickered between the book and me, nervous.

"Take your time," I reassured her softly.

Patience was key in teaching. Not every student learned at the same pace, and that was perfectly fine.

"I'm not sure if I'm right," she admitted.

"That’s okay. If you’re wrong, we’ll figure it out together."

She exhaled. "Long rear legs or short rear legs?"

"Excellent. Now, which insects belong where?"

Her confidence returned, and she answered flawlessly. I clapped, praising her effort—everyone deserved recognition for progress.

"Thank you, Sophia," she beamed at the door after our session. "You make Biology so much clearer."

"Anytime, sweetheart."

Once she left, I collapsed onto the couch, my mind still restless. Gardening. Maybe that would help.

Liam was at Hunter’s house, so I was alone.

I changed into old clothes and headed to the backyard, kneeling in the soil with carrot and tomato seeds. The rhythmic motions usually soothed me, but today, my thoughts refused to quiet.

Gunner’s mother. Lucas’s cryptic words to Ethan. Something about it all gnawed at me.

"You seem lost."

I startled, looking up to find Lucas standing before me. How long had he been there?

"Yeah… just a lot on my mind. Thought this might help," I admitted, brushing dirt off my jeans.

"Anything I can help with?"

"Probably not."

He was always tight-lipped about Hunter’s mother. Married? Divorced? Just a fling? I doubted he’d ever willingly share. And every mention of her seemed to either anger or pain him.

"That’s fine. I usually process things alone too," he said, then gestured to the garden. "But I can help with this."

"Thanks." I handed him gloves, and he knelt beside me.

"What are the boys up to?"

"Video games. It’s surreal how close they’ve become. Inseparable. Never thought I’d see the day, considering how much I despise Ethan."

I frowned. He couldn’t even say his name. Why?

"Why the hatred? Whatever happened was years ago. Shouldn’t you have moved on by now?" I asked, referencing his high school obsession with Isabella.

He’d been infatuated, trailing after her like a lovesick puppy—letters, flowers, gifts. It had infuriated Ethan endlessly.

"It’s nothing," he muttered, but the lie was obvious.

I let it drop.

"Regardless, you need to set it aside. Our sons are best friends. You’ll see Ethan occasionally. No more picking fights."

I made a mental note to have the same talk with Ethan. They needed to grow up.

"This isn’t about you or Ethan. It’s about Hunter and Liam."

Thinking of Hunter summoned an image I couldn’t shake. A smile. His smile.

My blood ran cold.

It couldn’t be. She would’ve said something. Told her family. But the resemblance was undeniable.

"Sophia?" Lucas called, but I was trapped in the realization.

Hunter’s smile was identical to hers as a child.

"Isabella," I whispered, the name tearing from my lips.

Lucas went rigid beside me. His reaction confirmed it.

"I have to go." I stood shakily.

He grabbed my arm, searching my face. "You know."

I nodded, tears welling. Wrenching free, I hurried inside, grabbed my keys, and left.

I couldn’t believe it. Not her.

The Isabella I knew would never abandon her child. She wouldn’t be this cruel.

I needed answers. Now.