He did, then looked up. "Mommy, is Daddy coming?"
My heart clenched.
"I invited him," I said honestly. "But Daddy has something very important to handle today."
"Okay." Olei dropped his head, looking a little crushed.
I reached over and ruffled his hair. "Daddy sent bodyguards to protect us. Look, they're right over there."
Olei followed my pointing finger and spotted several men in black suits scattered around us, keeping their distance.
He nodded, but the disappointment was still written all over his face.
This morning, I'd called Silas myself. Asked him to come on the picnic.
I didn't know why I'd done it. Maybe because Olei kept asking about Daddy these past few days. Maybe because... after all this time together, Silas actually did what he said. He stopped forcing himself into my space, only calling to discuss Olei. His messages were short, restrained. Just about Olei.
He was learning to respect my boundaries.
That should've made me happy. But I found myself waiting for his messages. Every time my phone buzzed, my heart skipped.
My phone vibrated. I pulled it from my bag immediately. The screen showed Julian.
"Anthea, where are you right now?" His voice was tight.
"The park," I answered, pushing down the disappointment. "I brought Olei for a picnic. What's wrong?"
"Which park?" He pressed.
I gave him the address.
"I'm coming to see you. There's something I need to tell you." He paused. "About the case. We've made progress."
My heart jumped. "Okay. I'm on the lawn by the lake."
After I hung up, about forty minutes later, Julian appeared in my line of sight. He wore a light blue shirt, polished and refined as always, like some elite magazine model. But his face looked wrong. Dark circles heavy under his eyes, stubble he hadn't bothered to shave.
"Julian." I stood. "Has something happened? Are those people still following you?"
Had Silas not called off his men?
"Anthea." He moved closer, his gaze sweeping to Olei, his expression stiffening for an instant. "Nothing happened. I just didn't sleep well last night. So I'm not in great shape."
I relaxed. Silas had kept his word.
"Olei, this is Julian." I looked at Olei gently. "He had dinner with us last time, remember?"
Olei looked up at Julian, eyes wary. But eventually he nodded and said hello. The greeting came out flat, completely lifeless. Julian's smile turned forced.
I caught the awkward atmosphere and patted Olei's head. "Baby, why don't you go play on that slide over there? Mommy needs to talk to Julian for a minute."
Olei stood reluctantly, glancing back at me several times before heading toward the slide. Two bodyguards immediately followed.
"He doesn't like me much," Julian said with a bitter smile.
"He's just..." I hesitated. "He probably needs more time to get to know you."
Julian went silent, thinking something through.
