BRANDON ~

At Manhattan City, I stepped out of the airport with a weight in my chest that made every breath feel heavier than the last.

My grip on Liam’s small wrist was firm, too firm, as if someone were dragging him with me.

I couldn’t bring myself to loosen it. It was the only thing grounding me at that moment, the only proof that I hadn’t already lost everything.

The airplane authorities had denied me boarding.

"We're sorry, sir, but you can't travel with this kid. The mother has to be with him."

The words still echoed in my mind. It was sharp and humiliating.

They hadn’t even tried...