The text came on a Thursday morning while I was braiding Noah's hair for school.
*Back from paradise! Girls' night tomorrow at my place. 7 PM. Can't wait to catch up! - V*
I stared at the message, my stomach clenching. Vanessa was back, which meant the fertility treatments would start soon. Which meant I'd have to face her—and eventually Damien—while pretending everything was normal.
"Mama, you're pulling too tight," Noah complained.
"Sorry, baby." I loosened my grip on his dark hair, so much like his father's. "There. All done."
He turned to look at himself in the hallway mirror, grinning at his reflection. "I look handsome."
"You look very handsome."
"Like my daddy?"
The question hit me like it always did, sharp and unexpected. "What makes you ask that?"
"Tommy at school says I
