“Of course. Judy invited me,” I replied with a small smile.
Yes. I smiled back. My heart was pounding strangely, and oddly enough... there was no pain when I saw his smile.
Then his gaze shifted to Haille, still in Judy’s arms. He stepped closer, smiling.
“Come here, bug,” he said, and Judy shifted Haille toward him. He took her easily into his arms and Haille welcomed it eagerly, her arms instantly wrapping around his neck.
Lunch was served not long after. Judy insisted everyone sat properly at the table—no plates on laps, no “casual eating,” as she put it, like she was still raising children, not feeding adults.
Haille sat in her booster seat between me and Adrian, legs swinging happily. She’d already announced that she wanted juice and dessert ‘after only three bites.’
Judy clicked her tongue. “No, sweetheart. After you eat properly.”
Haille pouted. “But I’m a good girl.”
Avery leaned toward her like they were forming a secret alliance. “If you eat more chicken, Grandma might give you ice cream.”
Haille’s eyes widened. “ICE CWEAM?”
Judy shot Avery a sharp look. “Don’t negotiate with my granddaughter.”
Avery grinned. “I’m building an alliance.”
I let out a small laugh—one that slipped out before I could stop it.
Judy watched me over the rim of her glass. Then she spoke casually, “Elena… I’ve already spoken to Adrian. And if you’re okay with it, Haille can stay here sometimes while he’s away. Just like she used to.”
I blinked. “Judy—”
“No,” she cut in, firm but gentle. “Listen first.”
“You can ask us for help,” she said sincerely. “So you can still have some time to yourself once in a while. Go out with your friends. Or stay home and do absolutely nothing. Sleep. Watch movies. Go to the salon. Whatever you need.”
Warmth spread through my chest—not because I wanted time away from Haille, but because they were still thinking about me, even though I wasn’t with Adrian anymore.
“Alright,” I said with a small smile. “If you don’t mind.”
Judy’s smile appeared instantly. “Of course,” she said, pleased. “Good.”
Adrian cleared his throat. “Thank you, Mom,” he said quietly.
Judy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You can thank me by not disappearing into projects so long you forget you have a family.”
Adrian chuckled. “Of course not.”
“Daddy leaving?” Haille suddenly asked.
Adrian immediately focused on her. “Yeah, bug. I told you Daddy has to go away for work for a little while, right?”
Haille’s lips jutted out. “Why?”
“Because Daddy is building something,” Adrian explained patiently. “So people can walk, drive, and live safely.”
Haille thought for a moment, like she was calculating something important.
Then she nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”
After lunch, Haille continued coloring with Adrian in the living room. Meanwhile, Avery and I sat in the backyard.
