Chapter 21

Stella’s reminder jolted everyone. A little girl.

Dominick whirled around, following Stella’s finger. He’d been curious to see who’d made his son cry—a tiny girl, barely reaching his knees, hid behind a money tree, soaked and terrified, eyes wide as a frightened kitten. Seeing her, then Grayson nestled in Marissa’s arms, Dominick frowned. This little thing had reduced Grayson to tears? He had to hand it to her—she was small, but mighty.

He knelt, his gaze locking with the girl’s. “Did you bully them?”

Serena’s lip trembled; her eyes, filled with fear and defiance, held his. Something about her face…familiar. He softened. “What’s your name?”

Serena hesitated, then whispered, “Serena Sutton.”

“Serena Sutton,” he repeated, a shiver tracing his spine.

Marissa, watching from beside Grayson, stiffened. Serena Sutton… Paisley’s daughter? Alarm bells clamored in her head. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Grayson.

“Marissa, you’re hurting me…” Grayson whined.

Snapping back, Marissa released him. “Oh, sorry, sweetie. You’re not mad?”

Grayson shook his head, cuddling closer. “Nah, I love you most!”

Dominick remained focused on Serena. His voice hardened. “Why did you hit them?”

Before things escalated, Principal Cooper intervened. “Mr. Vanderbilt, it’s settled. Serena’s a troublemaker. She snuck in, startled the children, refused to apologize, and hit them.”

Grayson’s teacher agreed. “Clearly undisciplined. She’s the only one sneaking around.”

“We won’t tolerate this. Her parents will be contacted,” Michelle added, dismissing Serena as a transfer student whose parents pulled strings.

“Ms. Principal, my daughter has behavior problems? Is this how you educate children?” Paisley’s sharp voice cut through the air.

She’d rushed in, expecting a minor squabble, only to find her daughter vilified. Serena, small and soaked, hid behind the plant, utterly pitiful. Paisley’s anger flared, but she took a deep breath. She strode to Serena, ignoring the others. “Baby, don’t be scared. Mommy’s here.”

Serena’s defiance melted; tears streamed down her face as she reached for her mother. “Mommy… I don’t want him… brother…” she sobbed.

Paisley held her close. “There, there. Let’s forget him.” She wasn’t sure who ‘him’ was, but suspected it was the boy Marissa had mentioned.

“Paisley?” Dominick’s deep voice startled her.

Paisley turned, her heart leaping at the sight of Dominick’s stunned expression. She hadn’t noticed Marissa and Grayson until now. Four years. Grayson was taller, more like Dominick. Seeing him clinging to Marissa, a pang of something settled in Paisley’s chest. The little boy who’d called her “Mommy” was happy.

She looked away, unaware that Grayson’s grip tightened on Marissa’s shirt, his eyes reddening anew.