Her eyes widen—humiliation, anger, disbelief. “You little—“
“No,” I interrupt. “We’re done.”
I turn my back on her, placing both girls behind me as I walk toward the exit. I don’t wait for her reply or give her another second of my dignity. I just keep walking.
When we reach the parking lot, I exhale slowly, kneeling to the girls’ height. “Hey… look at me.”
Daisy’s lip trembles. Aria’s eyes are shiny with tears.
“I’m so sorry you saw that,” I whisper. “That is not how adults should act. And that is not how we solve problems.”
Daisy sniffles. “But she hit you…”
“She did,” I nod, brushing a hand over her hair. “And it was wrong. Violence is never the answer. But standing up for yourself? That matters too.”
Aria’s chin wobbles. “Miss Ella… thank you.”
“For what, sweetheart?”
“For standing up to her,” she whispers. “She always… she always talks like that. To me. To Dad. To everyone. Thank you for defending me.”
My heart cracks. I pull her into my arms, holding her tight, whispering into her hair. “I’ll always stand up for you. Always.”
She starts crying—soft, quiet tears that bury themselves in my shoulder. I hold her until she’s steady.
I look at both girls, wiping their cheeks gently. “You two are safe with me. I promise.”
They nod, leaning into me on both sides.
We drive home in silence for a few minutes before Daisy asks softly, “Auntie El? Are you okay?”
I glance at her in the mirror, then at the faint mark on my cheek. “Yeah. I’m okay. Sometimes people hurt others because they’re hurting inside. But that doesn’t make it right. And it’s not your job to carry their pain.”
Aria sniffles. “Dad’s going to be mad.”
“I know,” I say with a small smile. “But he’s also going to be proud of you for being brave. And he’s definitely going to give both of you ice cream to make up for all this.”
Aria gives a tiny giggle.
When we pull into the ranch and I park the car, she leans forward again, her voice soft.
“Ella?”
“Yeah, baby?”
She hesitates, then whispers, “I’d… I’d be really happy if you were my… um… you know. My… mom. Or whatever.”
My heart stops, then melts.
I swallow hard and turn, cupping her cheek gently. “Oh, Aria… I’m not trying to replace anyone. You have a mom. But I promise you this…” I press a kiss to her forehead. “…I will always love you like you’re mine.”
She hugs me so tightly I feel it in my ribs, allowing everything inside me to settle after such a horrifying ordeal.
20
COLE
Dinner is burning.
