They looked up at me, all three of them—brave, uncertain, and waiting.
“Sprinkles? Chocolate sauce?” I asked softly.
Selena nodded quickly, her lower lip trembling.
“Are you… okay?” Harry asked, pulling at his collar again.
I crouched between them and pressed a kiss to each forehead.
“I will be, babies. Because I listened when it mattered. Because I protected you.”
We turned to leave. The guests parted without a word, some nodding, some looking away.
Chelsea stood at the exit, her hands clasped. When I reached her, she blinked hard and mouthed “thank you.” I knew she’d been stressed about whether I’d mention her name.
“No,” I whispered back, squeezing her hand as I passed. “Thank you.”
Behind us, Oliver stood frozen in place, his jaw tight. His mother was walking toward him, her face flushed with anger.
