Isabella hesitated, then answered. "Carly?"

"Isabella, you home?" Carly’s voice was urgent.

Isabella nodded. "Yes."

"Adrian?"

Silence. Finally, Carly pressed on. "I looked into the Carters. They're… not what we thought. Becky and Charlie? Big online presence, especially Becky. Forget the whole thing. They’re fine."

Isabella barely registered Carly’s words. She’d already investigated the Carters herself. The information on Adrian’s sister, Becky, had been a punch to the gut. But the real betrayal was Adrian’s lie. She’d told him she hated liars! Three days wouldn’t cool this rage. Worse, she questioned their future. Could she, she, ever be with someone of his… status? Would the Carters even accept her?

Carly finally trailed off. Isabella knew Carly meant well, trying to reassure her. "Carly, I know," she sighed. "Don't worry. I'll handle it." She hung up.

Entering the kitchen, she found Adrian washing dishes, an apron tied around his waist. She remembered when he’d arrived, clueless and awkward, learning to cook, to clean, to be a part of their family. She'd watched him grow, change… She'd accepted him. Never imagining this background.

He turned, catching her gaze. His eyes widened, a flash of surprise. Isabella quickly looked away.

Later, preparing for their walk, Adrian followed Isabella and Damian. Isabella ignored him, but Adrian saw hope in her silence. No demand to leave. A chance. She hadn't asked him to leave.

Damian, usually reserved, kept glancing back at Adrian. Adrian noticed. He’d opened the door for him earlier. Damian had helped. A small smile touched Adrian’s lips.

Damian, seeing that smile, looked away, suddenly uneasy.

So cute, Adrian thought, watching Damian. A year together, and the boy’s care was clear, unspoken.

Adrian reached for Isabella’s hand, his grip firm despite her struggle. "Isabella, let’s take Damian to Celestial Park."

Surprise warred with anger on Isabella’s face. Then, the mention of the park stopped her. Damian’s head tilted, equally confused.

"Damian’s young," Adrian explained, smiling. "He needs to see the world." A good mother wouldn't refuse this. Besides, it wasn't just Damian; it was his son too. She knew Celestial Park; a breathtaking place, impossibly expensive. A friend had gone; she’d dreamed of taking Damian. But for Adrian…

"Okay?" he prompted.

Isabella’s ears flushed. She looked at Damian. "Do you want to go?"

"Where's that?" Damian asked.

"It's amazing," Adrian beamed. "Full of beautiful stars."

Damian’s eyes lit up. He loved beautiful things.

"Let's go," Adrian said, holding Isabella's hand. "My car's downstairs."

Isabella followed. Adrian opened the back door for them, slid into the driver’s seat, and started the engine.

On the way, Adrian’s smile was uncontainable. Pure, unadulterated joy.

Forty minutes later, they arrived. Adrian bought the tickets. For three-year-old Damian, raised in frugality, it was a wonderland. Isabella was amazed too, yet focused on Damian’s wide-eyed wonder. This was her regret, not providing more.

"Mommy, it’s beautiful!" Damian exclaimed.

Isabella nodded. "Yes."

Adrian smiled. "Let’s go in."