Written heart

Jaden was crying in Lara's arms, holding her for dear life. His eyes were swollen from the desperation and tears, and his nose was wet.

«Hey,» Lara said, hugging him tighter. She sat on an armchair, trying to comfort the little boy. «I won't leave, Jaden. Not for that criminal, for goodness.»

«But mommy, it's written there!» he exclaimed.

«It's not Jaden.»

«There's written! It's written heart!»

«How do you know?» she asked, surprised. Had Jaden learned how to read? Already? How fast could her cubs grow up?

«It's ache, then ae, and then rare...»

«You know how to read words? You're so smart, mommy's boy,» she said. «But no matter what is written here, I won't leave.»

«Choose Nate,» Jaden repeated. «Nate is better.»

He wiped his eyes and stared at his mother for a moment, looking for something to say in defence of the father he had pushed away till that moment.