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The s could lead with hi apart

Checks and balances—the scales are even If I don’t give us a chance, I could lose out on having a future that fairy tales are made of If I take the risk and it falls apart, I will fall apart, and I’m not sure I will be able to pick myself up

Love is a gaame where the winner takes all, and the loser is left empty

My phone pings, alertingat the screen, I find it’s not from Morrison like I expected It’s from Livi

He is off to the airport Thought you would want to know Tiirlie

Her words hit me

Time is up

Ti It passes in a blink, in a blur, and before you know it, it’s gone Whoosh—disappeared and never to be seen again

My ot the opportunity to know real love Morrison’s mom never felt unconditional love outside of what she had with her sons I toldto break the cycle for hter Well, today is the day

I look atathands, I swipe the screen and hit reply

Pick me up?

Three si to leap The question now is, will I fall, or e soar together?

Outside waiting, Livi’s text comes back immediately, followed by a winky face

Without hesitation, I throw together a duffel bag of clothes, then pray I re for Marisa since she’s staying around, and Livi has the spare key to my place if she needs it

Gathering Marisa up, I rush down the stairs and out the door

“You’re gonna stay with Miss Livi for a few days Jagger proht and put you on the phone Love you, Ris Priss” I kiss her forehead as I buckle her into the car seat while Livi beams at me from the driver’s seat

“It’s a ’lumber party, Mommy Don’t worry, we’ll have fun”

Oh, the carefree world of a three-year-old Untouched, unharh her father is a bad person, he sheltered her by his absence One day I le worry—whilethis? Is this s this?