The mention of my children struck a nerve; they were indeed my greatest concern.


    Overwhelmed, I massaged my forehead and replied wearily, “Let’s talk about thister.


    Right now, I just need to rest and spend time with Abby.


    I don’t want to think about anything else right now.


    ”


    Caleb’s POV:


    After the incident, the children began to treat me as if I were invisible, their gazes sliding past me without recognition.


    Feeling utterly powerless, I approached them in an attempt to exin, my voice tinged with desperation.


    “Elena, Dn, things aren’t as they seem.


    I was intoxicated that night.


    It was just an ident, and…”


    “No, we don’t want to hear it!”


    Their hands shot up to cover their ears, voices dripping with resentment.


    “Daddy, we saw everything.


    You don’t need to make excuses.


    You hurt Mommy!”


    “Daddy, it’s all your fault.


    Mommy had juste back, and then you betrayed her with another woman.


    That’s why Mommy left!”


    The mention of Debra brought tears to both children’s eyes.


    Unable to contain her emotions, Elena broke down into sobs, her small frame trembling as she pushed against me.


    “Give me back my mommy! I want my mommy!”


    Her feeble shoves pierced my heart, each one a painful reminder of my failings.


    As I watched them cry, consumed by their grief, I was overwhelmed with regret.


    “I’m sorry…”


    Since Debra’s departure, the vi had reverted to its deste state, reminiscent of the bleakness that apanied her absence.


    Days had passed, yet there was no sign of her return to the Thorn Edge Pack.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Guilt wed at me incessantly, a ceaseless torment for my inability to reconcile with Debra and mend our shattered bond.


    Yet, I found myself utterly lost when confronted with the task of exining that night to her.


    Even I struggled to unravel the truth of what transpired between Alexandria and myself.


    The fear of driving Debra further away with a clumsy exnation loomed over me like a shadow, intensifying my stress and rendering me listless.


    My mounting stress and dwindling concentration started to manifest in my work, resulting in a series of simple errors.


    Unable to tolerate my deteriorating condition any longer, Carlos finally broached the subject.


    “Caleb, what’s going on? Why have you been in such poor shape?”


    I hesitated, my gaze shifting to his concerned expression.


    Up to this point, Carlos remained oblivious to the incident involving Alexandria.


    Knowing the disgraceful nature of the matter and its connection to his cousin, I struggled to find a way to broach the subject.


    After a moment of hesitation, I chose to fabricate a response, shaking my head to dispel his concerns.


    “I just got a bit distracted.


    A minor issue.


    Don’t worry about it.


    ”


    But Carlos, ever perceptive, refused to let the matter rest.


    His gaze bore into me, suspicion evident in his eyes as he pressed, “Caleb, you’ve been acting weirdtely.


    Is there something you’re not telling me?”


    A nervous twitch rippled through my eye.