A woman stepped inside—jeans, hoodie, blonde hair tucked under a cap. She didn’t belong, not because of what she wore, but because of how she carried herself.
Sharp. Observant.
Her eyes went straight to Daniel.
“Hey, champ,” she said smoothly. “Time to go.”
Daniel frowned. “I haven’t finished my milk.”
“You can take it with you,” she replied.
Emily’s instincts stirred.
“You know him?” she asked, folding her arms.
The woman smiled. “I’m his aunt.”
Emily didn’t look convinced. She turned to Daniel.
“That true?”
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
Emily crouched beside him, her voice softer now. “You okay? You want to go with her?”
Daniel looked down. “I’m waiting for my dad… but I guess I have to.”
Emily’s chest tightened. Something felt off. But she also knew how quickly situations could turn against her if she pushed too hard.
Still—
She wasn’t sending him away empty-handed.
She grabbed a chocolate chip cookie, wrapped it, and placed it in his hand.
“For the road.”
Daniel smiled. “Thanks, Emily.”
As the woman wheeled him out, she glanced back briefly.
A silent warning.
Outside, the Bentley door opened.
Alexander stepped out, his presence commanding even in the rain.