om the open file, his dark

ppened t

the maid immediately looked un

lly braced herself and spoke. "This afternoon, Mrs. Wallace suddenly changed the m

Gabriel's tone droppe

he even kept the chef out and made the food herself.

briel was already up, stridi

by, trailed after him with a gl

w you're

ery seriously, and here you are me

e kid for three years-no on

on't let

brace y

den leaned cozily against Lilah's

ly pointing at the illustration

tly among the stars. It lit up the little path like silver, whispering, 'Goodn

ntly, his little face full of trust and calm. Every so often he

dress, hair tied up, showing

ed just enough warmt

tle scene caught

realizing, the tight line of

miliar stirred

but his vibe definitel

as like both their f

st to notice Gabriel and c

bit puzzled seeing Gabriel str

on the back. "Sweetie, kee

noon?" Gabriel cut straight

ng his shoulders. "Mom m

exactly pleased and looked

ng on?" She stood, g

his glare from

just flickered in his

ged his meals? Didn't I say you

as too repetitive. What I've planned is more balanced nutrit

. "Funny, considering you've never really care

art sink.Thinking about how the original her was pushed to th

itionist, they'd tell you this makes sense. Aiden is my child-I'd never

nally broke down, voice catch

p at her, eyes full of worry. He reached out, tr

r watery eyes shimmering under the sunligh

eyes made the pain

en died from neglect and a

to love him double-ma

ot shut down c

plan, but don't question my love for him, ever. You're hardly around, and

ly used his sleeve to wi

his dad. Lilah met Gabriel's eyes with

didn't s

feel like he was the

h other so tightly, he

aught Lilah off g

m, but more serious than ever. "Aiden, tell Dad-do you really

lah's arms and nodded furious

. She'll take

s eyes resting a moment on

often he s

d she become

been bullying her

rly expecting a scene, her smi

Aiden, and staying silent, Ve

was about to tea

y she'd finally get ki

timing." Gabrie

off Aiden's meal plan. S

sharp-no room

roze, smile van

from now on. Got a

es, the way the air seemed to d

no proble

chef and Mr. Reed

did she always mana

e's that brat's

e instantly, resentmen

iel's stare, turning stif

e three of them in

didn't w

linging to her lashes-long and dar

g, looked like they could see s

e woman who used to scream and

od look at her before-not like this

ked and me

en the tiniest emotions in ea

orming a pause between on