Victoria: I’ll be there in ten minutes. And please make sure the house is presentable. The photographer is coming for the wedding shoot. If the child is… difficult, keep her out of sight.

The air in the conservatory went cold.

Ethan looked at Lily, still clinging to him. Looked at Sarah.

He understood with brutal clarity:
If Victoria saw this bond, she would destroy it.

“Sarah,” he said, hardening his voice for protection. “Take Lily upstairs. Bathe her, change her… and change yourself too. Quickly. Victoria can’t see this.”

Sarah nodded, though she didn’t understand, and led Lily up the service stairs.

Ethan stayed among the orchids, wiping his tears, putting his mask back on.

But it no longer fit.