Chapter 10

“Mommy! Mommy! Let me go! I’m going to be late!” Sesena wriggled in Paisley’s arms, a small fish struggling for freedom. Paisley’s heart ached; the guilt of yesterday’s missed pickup still lingered. But seeing Serena’s eagerness, sadness replaced the guilt.

“Serena, you’re not going to miss Mommy at all?” Paisley asked, her voice a blend of frustration and sorrow.

Serena nodded earnestly, her eyes shining. “But I have to go to kindergarten, Mommy. Everyone else is gone. You should go too. I need to face the world on my own!”

Paisley was speechless, torn between laughter and tears. “Alright, alright,” she sighed, smoothing Serena’s hair. “But if anything happens, tell the teachers. Okay? Don’t let anyone bully you.” Maria’s words about that little boy flickered in her mind.

Serena nodded decisively. Secretly, she thought, Should I tell Mommy about Grayson? No… I’ll wait.

Paisley showered Serena with kisses, then reluctantly handed her to the teacher. The moment her feet touched the ground, Serena bolted, grabbing the teacher’s hand and pulling her towards the school. She had Grayson’s portrait, a secret weapon, tucked in her backpack. I’ll prove I wasn’t lying! she thought.

Paisley watched, puzzled. What was so captivating about kindergarten?

A boy, no older than seven, dashed past, his mother calling anxiously behind him. Paisley thought, Grayson must be about that size now… I wonder if he’s started school. A bittersweet smile touched her lips. But Dominick wouldn’t send him here.

The office was quiet except for a ticking clock. Dominick, having just finished a call, rested on the sofa. His secretary softly knocked, asking for his drink order.

“Coffee,” he said.

Julian frowned. “You should cut back. It’s bad for your stomach.”

Dominick ignored him. The secretary returned with coffee. He sipped, then checked his phone. Kayla’s name blazed on the screen—her twelfth call.

He answered, holding the phone away from his ear. “Stop yelling! Say it!”

Kayla’s voice was sharp. “Dominick, I’ve been calling since last night! Why haven’t you answered?!”

“Kayla,” Dominick said, his voice dangerously calm, “don’t call Paisley that. She’s your sister-in-law.”

Kayla laughed scornfully. “Sister-in-law? You’re divorced! Is she crawling back?”

“She hasn’t,” Dominick replied coldly. “If anything, she’d erase me from her life.”

“Good,” Kayla said. “Anything else?”

“What, I can’t call my brother?”

“If that’s all, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait! Did you find that pigment artist? You promised!”

In her studio, Kayla stared impatiently at an unfinished canvas. “Nion Vaire just did an amazing mineral pigment painting. I want to replicate it.”

Dominick’s mind blanked. “Got it. I’ll handle it soon,” he said dismissively. The mention of painting stirred a memory of Paisley’s sketches from their early marriage.

A dull ache settled in his chest. Turning to Julian, he said, “Look into what Paisley’s been up to since she returned to Harrowfell.” He thought of last night’s work dinner.

Julian nodded. “Understood. I’ll get on it immediately.”