“Go up there,” Ashton says. “Get a photo with Scarlett and Aurora. Make it casual. Something you can show him.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “You’re right.”
The next day, I text Scarlett just after noon.
Ella:Hey! Random question. Totally ran out of honey at the bakery I’m actually up in your area. Can I pop by and grab some from you?
Her reply comes quickly.
Scarlett:Of course! I have a whole case. I’ll leave it on the porch unless you want to say hi :)
I type:Would love to say hi.Then I hit send before I can rethink it.
My stomach twists as I pull up to Scarlett’s house. The whole drive here, I tried to convince myself I wouldn’t actually go through with it—that I’d make an excuse, turn around, and pretend I never even thought about doing this. But here I am, standing on her porch, knuckles hovering midair before I finally knock.
When Scarlett opens the door, I’m struck by how… normal she looks. She’s calm, collected—motherly.
“Hi,” I manage, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thanks for letting me stop by.”
Scarlett smiles faintly, stepping aside. “Of course. Aurora’s been talking about the bakery cookies nonstop.”
Inside, the house smells faintly of honey and something baking. My nerves flare, but then I hear it: Aurora’s laugh from the other room, high-pitched and pure.
Scarlett notices me watching. “She’s a handful, but she’s my everything.”
I swallow hard, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “You’re a good mom.”
Her eyes soften, surprised. “Thank you,” she says quietly, like she’s never heard the words.
Aurora runs into the room, tugging at Scarlett’s hand. “Mama, let’s show her my swing!”
Scarlett chuckles, glancing at me. “Do you want to see her favorite place?”
I nod, forcing a smile. “I’d love to.”
She leads me through the side door and out into the yard, where a massive oak tree towers like a guardian. A thick tire swing hangs from one of its branches, the rope sturdy and weathered. Scarlett rests her hand on it proudly. “I built this for her. She can swing here for hours.”
Aurora is already climbing on, giggling as the swing sways. I step forward instinctively and give her a gentle push. Her laughter bubbles through the air, and for a moment, it feels like any ordinary afternoon.
I clear my throat, trying to sound casual. “Mind if I have something to drink?”
“Of course,” Scarlett says. “We’ve got iced tea. Would you like that?”
“Yes, thank you.”
From the swing behind me, a little voice pipes up, “Me too, please!”
Scarlett smiles indulgently and heads inside.
The second the door shuts, my heart lurches. This is it—my window. Aurora leans back in the swing, her hair catching the sunlight, and as the swing slows, I slip my phone out, then step next to the swing and lean in close to her.
“Hey, Aurora,” I say softly, forcing my voice to stay even. “Can you say cheese for me?”
She beams, eyes lighting up like fireworks—one blue, one brown, shining unmistakably.Click.My chest kicks as the photo saves to my phone. Proof. The photo I came here for.
Scarlett returns a moment later, two tall glasses of iced tea in hand, completely unsuspecting. I shove my phone back into my pocket, plastering on a smile.
We linger a little longer, sipping tea, chatting politely. But my pulse never slows. Finally, I glance at my watch and shoot up from the chair.
