Chapter 143

Damon’s temper snapped clean through. All reason, all restraint, gone. “I’m appealing the custody ruling,” he growled. “But until that happens, I can’t be the only one responsible for Caleb.” Sloane stared at him. For a heartbeat, she was actually speechless. He was the one demanding custody. He was the one who fought to keep the child. He was the one who insisted the boy belonged with him. And now he expected her to step in as his backup nanny? The sheer audacity almost made her laugh. “How far,” she whispered, “can a person lower their standards before they hit bedrock?” She turned away from Damon and knelt to look Caleb in the eyes. Her voice softened, gentle, warm, painfully sincere. “Caleb… sweetheart,” she said. “If I take you home, it will be because you want that. Not your father. Not your grandmother. You.” She cupped his cheek. “If you tell me you want to stay with me, I will give you everything I can. I will raise you, take care of you, teach you well.” Caleb hesitated. That