Chapter 113
Early the next morning, Paisley delivered Serena to kindergarten. At the gate, the usual flurry of tearful goodbyes unfolded.
"Rena, be a good girl," Paisley urged, her voice tight. "Listen to Ms. Johnson. If you feel unwell, tell her immediately."
"Okay, Mommy," Serena promised, her small hand gripping Paisley's. "I'll be good."
Paisley added, "And be kind to everyone. Don't let anyone bully you, and don't bully anyone back. Tell me if anything happens."
"Okay, Mom," Serena repeated, her eyes wide.
Ms. Johnson, the teacher, smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Ms. Sutton. I'll take good care of her."
Paisley handed Serena over, her heart heavy. Turning to leave, she exchanged polite nods with two other mothers, then quickly departed.
"Is that the new girl's mother?" Vivian, Millie's mother, asked the other woman, her gaze following Paisley's retreating figure.
The other parent nodded. "She seems unfamiliar."
Vivian sniffed. "Decent-looking, I suppose, but so plainly dressed. No makeup. Doesn't care about her image at all." Her diamond earrings glittered in the sunlight.
"Probably a stay-at-home mom struggling to make ends meet," the other parent chimed in, though she secretly thought Paisley was naturally beautiful. She just couldn't disagree with Vivian, the PTA president.
Vivian continued, "I bet she doesn't even have a husband. Yesterday, she was vague about her job, calling herself a freelancer." She sneered. "Freelancer? That's just code for unemployed!"
The other parent gasped. "Mrs. Morgan, you're so perceptive!"
Vivian beamed. "I'm throwing Millie a grand birthday party at the end of the month. You and Elara should come."
Isabella, Elara's mother, smiled weakly, already dreading the expense.
"My husband's often away," Vivian announced. "He's the general manager of Cloud Crest Winery. But he promised to be back for Millie's birthday, and he'll bring a bottle of Cloud Crest Reserve."
Isabella felt a pang of anxiety. This birthday gift would have to be extravagant.
Meanwhile, Grayson stood alone on the playground, searching for Serena. He couldn't find her. He approached the pre-one classroom. The children stopped their play to watch him.
"What brings you here?" their teacher asked.
"Where's Serena?" Grayson asked.
The teacher frowned. "Who's Serena? We don't have anyone by that name."
Grayson stared at the empty space where the children had been. The thought that he might never see his mother again crushed him.
Stella, a classmate, rushed over. "Sonny, what are you doing here? Come on!" She tried to pull him away.
Grayson pulled free, his voice sharp. "I want to be alone."
Stella persisted, tears welling. "If you don't play with me, I'll tell Aunt Marissa you're bullying me!"
For the first time, Grayson didn't flinch. "Do whatever you want," he muttered.
He sat alone, a bitter regret twisting in his gut. Had he treated Serena better? Would his mother still be there? He pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket—a secret gift from Serena.