“Julian Blackwood, listen carefully.”
Naomi Hart drew in a slow, steady breath. Each word left her lips like a blade being drawn. “I don’t want to be your mother anymore.”
The color drained from Julian’s face in an instant. His eyes flew wide, brimming with tears and raw disbelief. Every syllable struck him like shattered glass, driving deep into his chest.
For the first time, Julian understood exactly how Naomi had felt when he had flung those same cruel words at her. His small body began to shake. Self-blame flooded him so fiercely he could barely stand.
He regretted everything.
He should never have treated Mom that way. He should never have spoken those words. He should never have sided with Dad and Aunt Chloe against her.
Only now did the truth hit him: Aunt Chloe’s soft promises
