THE NEXT MORNING — LILY ARRIVES

Early sunlight spilled into the luxurious mansion as the doorbell chimed softly.

Hazel—Emily—went to the door just in time to see Kiara balancing a tiny, sleeping Lily in her arms, her hair messy, her expression exhausted.

“Hazel,” Kiara whispered, “she fell asleep in the car… please, just take her. If I wake her up, she’ll cry for an hour, and I need to run.”

Before Hazel could answer, Kiara gently transferred the warm, soft bundle into Hazel’s arms.

Hazel froze.

Lily’s small arms instinctively wrapped around her neck, her head nestling into her shoulder with trust so pure it melted something in Hazel’s heart.

Kiara whispered, “I’ll message when I’m free. You’re an angel—BYEEEEE!” and sprinted back to her car.

Hazel stood at the entrance, cradling Lily carefully.

This… feels so natural.

Real Hazel had adored Lily.

Emily felt it too—even though these attachments weren’t hers, her heart responded.

Slowly, she carried Lily upstairs and laid her gently on Hazel’s soft bed. Lily mumbled in her sleep, fist clutching the blanket, tiny lips puckered.

Hazel stroked her hair.

“You’re safe, sweetheart.”

AN HOUR LATER — LILY WAKES

A soft rustling sound pulled Hazel from organizing clothes in her closet.

Lily sat up on the bed, eyes wide, curls sticking out in every direction.

Then her face lit up like sunrise.

“AUNTY HAZEL!”

She launched herself into Hazel’s arms. Hazel laughed softly and hugged her back.

“Good morning, princess.”

Lily giggled. “I missed you! Mommy said you’re busy but I knew you’d play with me!”

Hazel smiled warmly. “Of course I will. Let’s get breakfast?”

“YES!”

Lily grabbed her hand and practically dragged her down the stairs.

David was already at the dining table, reading documents as always.

When Lily spotted him, she gasped—and broke into a full-speed run.

“UNCLE DAVEY!”

David’s hands froze mid-page.

Before he could react, Lily threw her tiny arms around him, hugging him tightly around the waist of his chair.

“I MISSED YOUUUU 🥺, UNCLE DAVEY!”

David’s cold expression cracked.

Not much.

Just enough.

A startled exhale.

A softening around his eyes.

A faint, helpless smile.

“…Lily,” he murmured, voice gentler than Hazel had ever heard. “You’ve grown.”

Lily beamed proudly. “I’m five and a half now!”

David actually chuckled—quiet, low, and warm.

Hazel’s heart clenched at the scene.

The man Hazel had hurt so deeply…

yet he loved this little child without holding back.

Lily climbed into Hazel’s lap and the three of them ate together.

The atmosphere felt lighter.

Real.

Almost like a family.

Until Hazel’s phone buzzed.

Ethan:

Hazel, where are you? Today’s shoot starts in two hours! You forgot, didn’t you?!

Hazel inhaled sharply.

“Shoot,” she muttered.

Lily looked up. “Aunty? You going to work?”

Hazel kissed her forehead gently. “Yes, sweetheart. But I’ll come back early.”

Lily pouted dramatically.

Hazel turned toward David, speaking softly and politely for the first time.

“Can… Lily stay with you for a bit? She loves being around you.”

David looked surprised—but Lily answered for him.

“I WANNA PLAY WITH UNCLE DAVEY!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!”

David fought a losing battle with her puppy eyes.

Finally, he nodded. “I’ll… watch her.”

Lily squealed in happiness and hugged him again.

Hazel smiled, relief warming her chest.

“I’ll be back earlier than usual,” she promised.

She turned to leave—Ethan already waiting outside.

But as she stepped away, she saw it:

David looking at Lily with warmth

and looking at her with something unreadable.

Suspicion?

Curiosity?

Hope?

Emily didn’t know.

But she knew one thing—

This was the first time Hazel’s presence didn’t hurt him.

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