“Is this another ploy?” Charlie asked bluntly. “Another way to manipulate her?”
“No,” Simon said, and he sounded sincere. “I promise you, Charlie. I’m ready to sign. I just want a few minutes to talk to Holly privately. That’s all.” He sighed. “We’re ending thirty-five years of marriage. I think a few minutes alone with Holly is not a lot to ask for.”
“Fine,” Charlie said slowly. “I’ll speak to Holly and get back to you. But Simon? If you’re lying… If this is another game, I will make your professional life a legal nightmare. Are we clear?”
“Crystal clear,” Simon said. “Thank you, Charlie.”
The call ended, and Charlie sat staring at her phone, trying to make sense of the conversation. Simon was ready to sign the divorce papers. Her brow furrowed. Trinity was the last person Charlie would’ve expected to contact Simon.
Charlie stood up and left the library, needing to find Trinity. If the girl had contacted Simon and sent him photos, Holly and Gabe needed to know. Not because Trinity had done anything wrong, but because they needed to be prepared if Simon tried to use that contactfor something.
She made her way toward the ballroom, following the sound of laughter and cheerful voices. When she reached the doorway, she stopped, her breath catching in her throat.
Gabe, Jane, Christopher, Isabella, Maddy, and Trinity were all gathered around one of the large tables, surrounded by evergreen wreaths and garlands. They were laughing about something, their faces lit with genuine joy and affection. Christopher had his arm around Isabella’s shoulders. Gabe and Jane stood close together, their hands occasionally brushing as they worked. Trinity and Maddy were holding up two different wreaths, clearly in the middle of a playful debate about which one was better.
Charlie felt tears sting her eyes as she watched them. This was what family looked like. Not the fractured, painful thing Simon had left behind, but something new and whole and beautiful.
Christopher was like a second nephew to her, even though they were not related by blood. Seeing him so happy with Isabella, seeing the way he fit seamlessly into this makeshift family they had all created, made her heart swell with pride.
And Gabe, the boy she had watched grow into a man and then a hero. He looked more at peace than she had seen him in years. The shadows that had haunted his eyes for so long were fading, replaced by hope and love and the promise of a future he had not thought possible.
But Trinity. Trinity was the one who made Charlie’s heart feel like it might burst with joy. That little girl was like a balm to everyone around her, spreading light and laughter wherevershe went. She had her mother’s gift for making people feel loved and valued, for bringing happiness even in the darkest moments. Duke lay beneath the table as if hiding from the debate that was going on in the room.
“I’m sure you’re so proud of her, Abi,” Charlie whispered, her eyes fixed on Trinity’s bright smile.
Suddenly, a little chill blew over Charlie, soft and gentle, like a kiss on the cheek. She touched her face instinctively, her breath catching as the subtle scent of lilies and vanilla drifted to her, and she smiled.
“I’ll make sure nothing hurts them,” Charlie promised.
“Aunt Charlie!” Trinity’s voice broke through her reverie. The girl had spotted her standing in the doorway. “Come help us here!”
Trinity held up two wreaths, one in each hand, both beautifully decorated with pine cones, berries, and delicate gold ribbons. “Which one do you think should be on the main arch?”
Charlie smiled and walked into the ballroom, wiping discreetly at her eyes. “Mmm,” she said, making a show of studying both wreaths carefully. “I like them both. But I think I have to go with yours and Maddy’s.”
“Aww, you would say that,” Gabe moaned dramatically. “That’s favoritism.”
“Oh, come now, you know I love you all equally.” Charlie grinned. Then she turned to Trinity. “Trinity, sweetheart, can you come and help mewith something?”
“Sure,” Trinity said without hesitation. But she pointed a warning finger at the group. “Don’t make the final decision before I’m back.”
“We wouldn’t think about it,” Jane promised, pulling Trinity into a quick hug before releasing her.
Trinity dashed off with Charlie, and they walked down the hallway until they were well away from the ballroom and out of earshot.
“What is it, Aunt Charlie?” Trinity asked, her expression shifting from cheerful to concerned. “Is something wrong?”
“Sweetheart, I just spoke to your grandfather,” Charlie said gently.
Trinity’s eyes immediately widened and filled with worry. “Is Granddad okay? Has something happened to him?”
Charlie’s heart squeezed at the genuine concern in Trinity’s voice. Despite everything Simon had done, despite the pain he had caused Holly, Trinity still cared about him. That was just who Trinity was. Loving and loyal, even when it hurt.
“He’s all right,” Charlie assured her quickly. “Nothing’s happened to him. But he mentioned that you told him about your father and Jane.”
Trinity’s expression shifted immediately, her eyes narrowing with something that looked like anger. “I did,” she admitted, her voice defiant. “I wanted him to see how happy we all were despite how he made Gran cry and tore our family apart.”
Charlie listened, her heart breaking a little at the pain in Trinity’s voice.
