(Caroline’s POV)
Hailey is standing on the sidewalk, looking smaller than I remember. She's wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt, no makeup, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She looks tired. Vulnerable.
Once, just seeing her like that would’ve had me running to her side, pulling her in my arms, doing all I can to comfort her.
Now? I merely scoff.
Wendy is holding her hand, looking confused and a little scared. The little girl's eyes light up when she sees me.
"Auntie Caroline!" She tries to pull away from Hailey, but her mother holds her back.
The word "auntie" stabs me in the chest with the force of a blunt knife. This child—this innocent little girl who I've loved for five years—is Samuel's daughter. His and Hailey's. The product of their betrayal.
I crouch down to her level, forc
