Page 24 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

Ava,blissfully unaware of the undercurrents around us, was having the time of her life. She flitted between the snack table and a small play area set up for kids, chattering happily with anyone who would listen.

“Mommy, look!” she called, holding up a balloon she’d somehow managed to snag.

“That’s great, sweetheart,” I said, smiling despite myself.

“She’s a social butterfly,” Enzo said, watching her with a mixture of pride and amusement.

“She gets that from you,” I said without thinking.

He turned to me, his expression softening. “You think so?”

I hesitated, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. “I mean… maybe a little.”

Before he could respond, Dr. Taylor reappeared, this time with a group of donors in tow.

“Enzo, Summer,” she said brightly, “I’d love for you to meet some of our biggest supporters.”

We exchanged pleasantries, the conversation circling around the clinic’s mission and the importance of community support. Enzo was a natural, seamlessly weaving Ava into the discussion without making it feel forced.

“She’s adorable,” one of the donors said, nodding toward Ava. “And it’s clear how much you both care about her.”

“Thank you,” I said, my smile tight.

“It’s rare to see such a strong, supportive family these days,” another donor added. “You’re setting a wonderful example.”

I could feel the weight of their words pressing down on me, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral.

By the timethe program began, I was ready to bolt. Ava was sitting on Enzo’s lap, her head resting against his chest as she played with Bunny. I sat beside them, my hands folded tightly in my lap, my smile frozen in place.

Everywhere I looked, people were watching us—whispering, speculating.

“They love you,” Enzo murmured, leaning toward me.

“They love the idea of us,” I muttered back.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and reassuring. “Relax. You’re doing great.”

When the eventfinally wound down, we said our goodbyes and headed for the door. Outside, the cool night air was a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere of the fundraiser.

Ava yawned, her head drooping against Enzo’s shoulder as he carried her to the car.

“She’s exhausted,” I said, brushing a curl away from her face.

“She had a big night,” he said with a small smile. “So did you.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “If by ‘big night’ you mean exhausting, then yeah.”

He glanced at me as he opened the car door. “You handled it perfectly, Summer.”

I climbed into the passenger seat, watching as he carefully buckled Ava into her seat. His movements were gentle, deliberate, like he’d been doing this for years.

As we drove home, I couldn’t help but wonder if the rumors were just the beginning.

And if pretending to be the perfect family would be harder than I’d ever imagined.

13

SUMMER

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