Page 152 of Mended Hearts

She shrugged one elegant shoulder, clearly fighting emotion. “I’m just… grateful. That’s all.”

“Aww, sissy,” I cooed, wrapping her up as she held me tightly in return.

“You deserve the world, Leigh.”

“Back at you.”

“And the way you’ve stepped up for these kids this year…” She shook her head. “They needed you so desperately.”

“It’s nothing,” I mumbled, uncomfortable with the praise.

“It’s not nothing,” Kaia argued. “You didn’t have to do all this.”

“It’s easy,” I said with a shrug. “You love somebody, you show up for them.” You love their daddy… and you’ll do anything to see him smile.

Alice’s voice was thick. “You’re showing them something they’ve never had—outside of Ollie.”

My throat tightened. Across the room, I spotted Beau racing toward his sister with a cupcake held high like a trophy. He presented it with a dramatic flourish, and the three of us burst out laughing. My gaze flicked to Ollie. He was already watching me, and when we smiled at each other, something deep passed between us—silent, certain.

Then…

A voice cut through the soft lull like a scalpel. “Well, isn’t thisjust precious!”

Beau swerved. “Mommy!”

Tillie, however, froze.

My stomach sank with the speed of an asteroid.

“Oh, fuck,” Alice breathed as we all turned to see Carly standing at the entrance in a beautiful violet dress and silky gold heels, gift bag in hand, face painted to perfection. She looked ready to walk a red carpet.

Ollie was already moving toward her, jaw tight, expression set.

I was already moving too—straight for our birthday girl.

“I thought this was a party!” Carly crowed. “Where’s the music? Let’s turn up the volume, shall we?” She shot a sharp look at Howard, who wisely ignored her. “Happy birthday, baby girl!”

Tillie’s eyes were wide with panic. Her body locked up.

Cruella hadn’t seen her kids after the fiasco at the theater beforeThe Nutcracker.

She hadn’t even bothered to send them Christmas presents, much less speak to them through the holidays.

The tension in the room could be carved with a damn ice pick. Even the staff and fellow parents were going still, like they knew something about this picture didn’t fit.

I reached Tillie just as her lip began to wobble. I knelt beside her and opened my arms without a word.

She flew into them.

And behind us, Carly kept smiling.

Fake. Cold.

Unwelcome.

As Carly scooped Beau into her arms, she announced, “I found you those glitter pens you love so much, and a brand new notebook!”

“You’re supposed to let heropenher gift,” Kaia growled beside me. The moment we flanked Tillie, her small hands landed in ours.

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