#Chapter 79 – Demands

My boys save me from this awkward moment, thank god, by bounding into the room. “Mommy!” Ian shouts, flinging himself onto the couch and crawling up onto my lap. “Hi papa!” Alvin says, waving at his dad as he rounds the coffee table and crawls up behind me, wrapping his arm around my neck and giving me a sweet kiss on the check. “Good morning, boys,” I say softly, smiling at them but keeping one eye on the powder keg that is Victor and Amelia. I wrack my brain quickly – did anything? – no. I shake my head, confirming to myself the innocence of the night. We were just friends, staying up late, having some drinks. Talking. It’s normal, after a very stressful encounter. Lies, my mind hisses, but I swipe the thought away. Luckily, I have two little six-year-old distractions to help me. “We were worried about you, mama,” Alvin says, “when you weren’t in the bedroom when we left.” “Yeah, we promised dad we would protect you while you slept!” Ian says, looking at me sternly. “