Page 163 of Pucking Daddy

She’s tall, slim, dressed in cream slacks and a pale blouse under a tailored camel coat that probably costs more than my rent used to.

Her dark hair is blown smooth, not a strand out of place, and she moves with the quiet confidence of someone used to rooms rearranging themselves around her.

Then she looks directly at me.

And something cold slips down my spine.

Because I know exactly who she is.

I’ve seen her in court.

It’s Rachel, Lily’s mother.

My fingers curl more tightly around the strap of my purse.

She doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t look uncertain or surprised. She comes straight toward me with the kind of measured calm that feels more threatening than anger ever could.

When she stops in front of me, her mouth curves into something that isn’t quite a smile.

“Zara, right?”

The fact that she recognizes me instantly shouldn’t surprise me. It still does.

I straighten slightly. “Yes.”

Her gaze moves over me, clinical. Appraising. Like she’s checking a list against reality.

“I’m Rachel.”

Her tone is light, but there’s an edge beneath it, just enough to make my skin prickle.

“I know.”

For one absurd second, I consider pretending I need to take a phone call. Walking away. Finding a teacher, the office, anyone.

Instead, I stay exactly where I am.

Rachel glances toward the school doors, folds her sunglasses, and tucks them into her bag. Casual, like this is small talk.

“So, Zara, I imagine this situation must be confusing for you.”

“Not really.”

“No? Well, good for you. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. You seem like a really sweet person…”

I don’t respond right away, already certain this isn’t going anywhere good.

“Was there a reason you wanted to talk to me?”

She studies me for a beat, and I feel the exact moment she drops the pretense.

“Actually, yes.” Her voice lowers, softer now, more intimate. “I wanted to understand what exactly Jaxon thinks he’s doing.”

There it is.

I hold her gaze. “If you have something to say to him, you should say it to him.”

She steps closer, lowering her voice so no one else can hear.