Hilary hopped out of the Land Cruiser, backpack bouncing.
She skipped over to Penelope, waving a paper bag.
"Look! Patrick—I mean, my new daddy—made me honey bread! It's got honey and matsutake mushrooms on top. It's sooo good!"
Penelope pouted. "Daddy says kids shouldn't eat too many sweets. You'll get cavities."
Hilary stuck out her tongue. "Hmph! I have a new daddy now. That old daddy can't tell me what to do anymore. I can eat whatever I want! Nyeh-nyeh-nyeh..."
"My new daddy also says I should learn to share with other kids. So I'm gonna give treats to everyone—except you! Nyeh-nyeh-nyeh..."
Penelope clutched her backpack straps, eyes reddening.
"Hilary, if you keep acting like this, Daddy really won't want you anymore."
"So what? I don't want him either! Who needs such a loser dad anyway? Patrick is my real daddy now." Hilary tossed her head and marched into the preschool, smug as could be.
Penelope's jaw tightened. She snatched up a pebble from the roadside, glaring at her sister's retreating back.
But in the end, she set it down.
Daddy had told her—no matter what, Hilary was still her sister. Even if Hilary made her angry, she couldn't hurt her.
From inside the car, Wilfred watched his two daughters.
He sighed quietly.
Hilary's behavior didn't wound him. He felt no grief, no disappointment—only a weary acceptance.
What's gone is gone. Yesterday can't be held.
Pruitt Group headquarters.
Hildegarde had barely stepped into her office when she noticed a lunch box sitting on her desk, decorated with a little heart.
A satisfied smile tugged at her lips.
Of course. Wilfred was just throwing a tantrum. Once he cooled off, he'd come crawling back like he always did.
And here was the proof—a homemade lunch, bright and early.
Same as before. Same as always.
That man couldn't survive without her.
Her phone rang. Patrick's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello? Patrick..."
"Hildegarde, I made you a lunch. Left it on your desk—eat it while it's warm." His voice was honeyed.
"You made this?"
Her expression flickered.
"Mmhm. Got up early and spent the whole morning on it. Even cut my finger with the knife." He chuckled ruefully. "Cooking really isn't a man's job. Honestly, I have to hand it to Wilfred—puttering around the kitchen every day like it's nothing. Must be nice to have such simple pleasures."
Even now, he couldn't resist the dig.