Shadowed Scars (Fragments of Love #2)

Prologue

As is all past

Maliyah

I caught myself scanning the parking lot again.

The old instincts had returned since moving back to Boston.

I’d reverting back to checking over my shoulder, noting exits, even watching for men who moved with that certain predatory ease I remembered too well.

Living in Florida for as long as I had, should have been enough distance.

Enough time for Bryce Callahan to forget I existed.

But standing outside Harbor House Road's main building that afternoon, about to sign paperwork that would make me the new director of their Ever House shelter, something in my gut whispered otherwise.

I ignored it. I should have known better than to believe in fresh starts.

Inside Carmen Rodriguez's office, I sat perched on the worn leather chair, convincing myself the past was exactly that. Past. That moving back to Boston wouldn't matter because Bryce had surely moved on, built a life that had nothing to do with mine.

That day, I didn't know how wrong I was. I didn't know I'd moved back into his world. That he was still here, living his life too close to where I was rebuilding mine.

And one chance encounter would be enough to bring it all back.

My sister's family had rallied around each other with such fierce protection after nearly losing Macy.

Watching them piece themselves back together had solidified something for me—I wanted my kids to grow up surrounded by people who loved them, by family who would show up no matter what storm came next.

So, I moved back to Boston to give my kids that family.

"Mama, can I go to the playground now?" My four-year-old, Zoe, tugged at my sleeve, having exhausted the entertainment value of watching me stare at paperwork.

I smoothed Zoe's dark curls away from her forehead, catching a whiff of her strawberry shampoo. "In a few minutes, baby." I kissed the top of her head and returned my attention to Carmen and the paperwork she was reviewing with me.

Carmen's smile softened as she looked at Zoe, then gestured toward a large interior window.

Beyond the glass, colorful foam mats covered the floor where two children were building a tower of blocks while a staff member sat cross-legged nearby with an infant.

A climbing structure with rounded edges stood in the corner.

"The staff can see every corner from their station," Carmen said, her voice dropping slightly.

"And you can watch her from right here while we finish up. "

Relenting, I watched Zoe run off, before turning back to Carmen, who said, "I know it was a big decision, but honestly, Maliyah, you're exactly what this place needs. Harbor House Road will be lucky to have you and I can finally retire, knowing this place is in good hands."

The organization was larger than my facility in Florida. The on-site childcare served kids from infancy through age five, with partnerships for older children at a nearby school.

Carmen slid a glossy brochure across the desk.

"There's an elementary school three blocks away.

Principal Winters keeps a counselor specifically trained in trauma response on staff.

" She tapped a sticky note marking the tuition page.

"Lucas’s tuition is waived as an employee benefit and he could come here after school for our programs."

Switching Lucas to this school would mean another transition for him, but the quality of education and its proximity were too good to pass up.

A tug at my elbow pulled my attention away from the paperwork. Zoe stood there, her small fingers clutching a gray stuffed elephant with oversized floppy ears, its trunk curved upward as if smiling. Her eyes sparkled with triumph, a smudge of pink glitter decorating her left cheek.

"A charitable foundation keeps us stocked with toys for the kids who come through here." Carmen nodded to the elephant. "That's Lani, short for Laniyah." She held her hand out to Zoe. "Can I see that for just a minute? I promise to give it back."

Zoe tentatively handed it over. Carmen showed me the back where there was the tiniest of pockets, barely perceptible if you didn't know it was there.

She pressed different spots until she found what she was looking for, then guided my hand to the same area.

I felt a small disc through the stuffing.

If she hadn't shown me, I'd have missed it entirely.

"They're equipped with trackers that parents can sync to their phones for extra security," Carmen quietly explained. When she handed the elephant back to Zoe, she showed her the retractable strap on the back so she could wear it like a crossbody. "Less likely to lose it this way."

I nodded to Zoe, and she ran back to the play area, clutching Lani tight.

I tried to take it all in. The care this organization had for its people—staff included. Zoe safe here with me. Lucas thriving at a school three blocks away. A salary almost twice what I made in Florida. This job was perfect.

I handed the completed forms to Carmen, my heart fluttering as I straightened my posture. "I'm excited to get started."

Carmen's eyes crinkled at the corners as she leaned forward. "There we go!" She glanced at her watch. "It's already past one. Why don't you and Zoe enjoy what's left of this sunshine, and we'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning? Eight-thirty?"

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." She stood and walked around her desk. "Maliyah, there's a lot of work to be done here, so take the time and enjoy it while you can. You can't imagine how glad I am to have found someone I know will give this role as much as I have."

As Zoe and I left the office, I was brimming with anticipation.

Heading toward the car, I pictured a future.

One where Zoe's hand was in mine as we crossed the three blocks to Lucas's new school, his backpack bouncing against his shoulders.

I imagined Friday evenings at the Museum of Science, Sunday brunches at Felicity's where the kids would build forts with their cousin.

The sun warmed my face as we walked.

Not once did my mind stray to the darkness. Not once did I consider the things that would come back to haunt me.