The Price of Joy

I was crouched there, in front of everyone, like I was breaking my own son’s heart right in front of the people I was told to stay away from.

I knew everyone was watching.

Vance. Lydia. Even Bella, quietly holding her uncle’s hand, was watching her best friend cry. But I didn’t know what to do. I was doing this for him.

Because Matteo was clear, no Vance, no Lydia, no close proximity to any man.