Andrea's pov.

I knew he was around, but we didn't see each other that night; I understood though, that Carol needed some space from me and my problems.

I needed space too, from my own melancholy and loathing. Time with the kids was a reprieve, I could forget about Thane and the inevitable chaos I would soon wreck his way, I could forget about my strained friendship with Carol.

“Mommy, you promised we could have a dog,” Timmy whined, giving me the puppy eyes.

“Did I?” I asked with an amused grin. Taking care of two boisterous kids required energy, time and patience, not to mention chips of my mental...