"Mildred, you really should keep your feet on the ground. Honesty goes a long way."
Right then, my daughter's call came through again. "Mommy! Lily saw you from the window!"
"How come you're not inside yet? My surprise is all ready!"
The sound of her soft, syrupy little voice melted away every ounce of frustration in my chest. "Be good, sweetie. Mommy's coming right in."
I hung up. Wyatt stood frozen in place.
He stared at my phone, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "Daughter? Mildred—you have a child?"
The next second, my impatient little girl came bounding out of the mansion, her tiny figure darting joyfully beneath the glow of the garden lights.
She threw her arms around my leg and nuzzled hard. "Mommy! If you don't come inside soon, my surprise is gonna burst!"
