Chapter 30
“I missed you too, sweetie p>
Maeve held her tiny hands and chatted with her. Listening to the little girl’s cheerful babbling did wonders for lifting her heavy spirits.
Suddenly, Delilah whipped her head around to look at Jonathan.
“Daddy, why did Maeve think I got into a fight with my best friend at school? We’re totally fine! We didn’t fight at all p>
Maeve instantly looked over at Jonathan.
She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
Faced with the identical questioning stares from both the woman and his daughter, Jonathan awkwardly looked away, clearing his throat into his fist.
“Is that right? I must have misremembered p>
Maeve was taken aback for a second before the realization dawned on her. He had completely made that up just to give her a comfortable excuse to stay. A wave of profound gratitude washed over her.
Eager to change the subject, Jonathan quickly interjected, “Delilah, why don’t you take Maeve to the playroom? I’ll have the chef start on dinner p>
“Yay!” Delilah cheered, dragging Maeve toward her bedroom.
“I built a huge princess castle with my Legos a couple of days ago! You have to see it p>
Maeve laughed and let herself be pulled along. Jonathan trailed a few steps behind, casually asking,
“Do you have any food allergies p>
Maeve shook her head. “No, I’m good with anything p>
Jonathan gave a knowing nod and turned toward the kitchen.
At six o’clock, dinner was served.
A torrential downpour had started outside at some point, and the dining room lights were switched on to chase away the gloom.
The warm, golden glow cast a soft light over the solid oak table, which was decorated with a small bouquet of fuzzy craft flowers Delilah had made herself. The spread of steaming food made the whole room feel incredibly cozy and inviting.
Maeve sat across from Jonathan, grinning as Delilah dramatically pushed her heavy chair around the table just to sit right next to her. Maeve reached out to help her drag it closer.
“Here you go, sit down p>
Delilah beamed at her. “Thanks, Maeve! You’re the best p>
Maeve scooped up a piece of broccoli and placed it onto the little girl’s plate.
“You need to eat your greens to grow big and strong p>
Delilah absolutely detested broccoli, but since it was from her favorite person in the world, she scrunched up her face and heroically swallowed it down.
Watching the interaction, a genuine spark of amusement lit up Jonathan’s eyes.
*Bzz! Bzz p>
The phone resting on the table suddenly buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced down at the screen.
The name flashing across the display instantly wiped the smile from his face. His eyes darted straight to Maeve.
Maeve happened to look up at the exact same moment. Meeting his tense gaze, she asked in confusion,
“Is everything okay p>
“It’s fine.” Jonathan grabbed his phone and stood up.
“Keep eating. I just need to take this p>
“Alright,” Maeve replied, watching his retreating figure as he stepped out onto the balcony. A prickle of unease crawled up her spine.
Out on the balcony, Jonathan pressed the phone to his ear.
“Frederick p>
Frederick’s voice came through the speaker, absolute zero and dripping with malice.
“I’m at your front gate. Send Maeve out right now p>
Jonathan furrowed his brows. Before he could even formulate a response, Frederick hung up.
*Honk! Honk p>
A split second later, the blare of a car horn echoed through the pouring rain.
He looked out into the driveway, immediately blinded by the high beams of a luxury car parked just past the gates.
Frederick had seen him.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jonathan stepped back inside. He found Maeve peeling a shrimp for Delilah. He hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking up.
“Frederick is here to pick you up p>
Hearing those words, Maeve’s earlier premonition clicked into place. Honestly, she wasn’t even surprised.
Not wanting to drag Jonathan into her mess any further, she stood up from her chair and gently ruffled Delilah’s hair.
“Delilah, I have to go now. But I promise I’ll come visit you again soon p>
Delilah looked heartbroken but still managed to act like a big girl.
“You have to promise you’ll come back to play with me really, really soon p>
“I promise p>