(Scarlett’s POV)
The afternoon sun filters through the café windows as I watch Lily color at the corner table. She insisted on bringing her entire crayon collection, and now there's a rainbow explosion across the white tablecloth. Dorian doesn't seem to mind. If anything, he looks charmed by her artistic chaos.
"Purple elephants are definitely the best kind," he tells her seriously, examining her latest masterpiece.
Lily beams. "Mama says I can use any colors I want because art doesn't have rules."
"Your mama is very wise."
Something warm spreads through my chest at the easy way he talks to her. No talking down, no forced enthusiasm. Just genuine interest in whatever four-year-old wisdom she wants to share.
"More coffee?" The waitress appears beside our table.
"Please." I need the c
