Chapter 2

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Lily’s room, casting a warm glow over her collection of stuffed animals. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders as she arranged her dolls in a semicircle. Diana watched from the doorway, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the heaviness in her chest. Lily had been buzzing with excitement since Rose arrived. “She’s about my age, Mommy!” she’d said the night before, her eyes bright with the prospect of a friend. Diana hadn’t had the heart to dampen her enthusiasm, even as Selena’s presence gnawed at her. “Lily, why don’t you take Rose outside to play?” Diana suggested, stepping into the room. “It’s a nice day.” Lily’s face lit up. She scrambled to her feet, clutching her favorite doll, a floppy-eared bunny she’d named Pudding. “Can I give her Pudding to play with?” she asked. “I want to share.” Diana nodded, her throat tightening at her daughter’s generosity. “That’s sweet of you, baby. Go ask her.” Minutes later, the two girls were in the backyard, their laughter drifting through the open kitchen window where Diana stood washing dishes. She glanced out, watching as Lily led Rose by the hand toward the swing set. Rose, with her shy demeanor and delicate features, seemed hesitant at first, but Lily’s chatter soon coaxed a smile from her. They took turns pushing each other on the swings, Lily’s voice ringing out as she explained how Pudding liked to “fly” when the swing went high. She handed Pudding to Rose, who clutched it as she swung. For a moment, Diana let herself relax. Maybe this could work. Maybe Lily having a playmate would soften the edges of the tension that had settled over the house. The peace shattered with a sudden cry. Diana dropped the sponge and rushed to the window, her heart lurching. Rose was sprawled on the grass beneath the swing, clutching her knee, her face scrunched in pain. Lily stood frozen beside her, Pudding dangling from her hand. Before Diana could move, the back door slammed open, and Ryan stormed into the yard. His footsteps were heavy, his expression dark as he knelt beside Rose. “What happened?” he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut through the air. Lily’s small voice trembled as she answered. “We were swinging, and she wanted to jump off like me, but she fell.” “I didn’t push her, Daddy, I promise!” Ryan didn’t look at her. He scooped Rose into his arms, brushing dirt from her skirt as she whimpered. “You need to learn better than this, Lily,” he snapped, his gaze finally flicking to his daughter. “You’re too young to be so careless.” “But I didn’t ” Lily started, her eyes welling with tears. Diana hurried outside, the grass cool against her bare feet. “Ryan, she said it was an accident. They were just playing.” He turned on her, his jaw tight. “An accident?” “She’s supposed to look out for her, Diana, not let her get hurt.” “You’re her mother, teach her how to behave.” The words stung, a slap she hadn’t seen coming. Diana stepped closer, placing a protective hand on Lily’s shoulder. “She’s six, Ryan.” “She didn’t mean any harm.” “Rose wanted to jump too Lily was only trying to include her.” Ryan’s eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Selena appeared at the back door, her expression a perfect mask of concern. “Oh, Rose, honey, are you okay?” She hurried over, crouching beside Ryan and smoothing her daughter’s hair. “I’m so sorry, Diana.” “I should’ve been watching them.” “It’s my fault.” Her apology was soft, almost theatrical, and it only fueled the fire in Ryan’s glare. “No, Selena, it’s not your fault,” he said, his tone softening for her in a way it hadn’t for Diana. “Diana, you need to do better.” “Lily can’t just run wild like this.” Diana’s chest tightened, her fingers digging into Lily’s shoulder as she fought to keep her voice steady. “She wasn’t running wild.” “They were playing together.” “Rose isn’t hurt badly, just a scrape.” Ryan stood, lifting Rose with him. “That’s not the point.” “She could’ve been.” He turned away, carrying Rose toward the house, Selena trailing behind with a lingering glance at Diana that felt more like a smirk than an apology. Lily sniffled, her small hand clutching Pudding tighter. “I didn’t mean it, Mommy.” “I just wanted her to have fun.” “I know, sweetheart,” Diana murmured, kneeling to pull her daughter into a hug. “It’s not your fault.” “Daddy’s just… upset.” But as she held Lily, Diana’s mind raced. She remembered how Ryan used to be with their daughter, how he’d scoop her up after a tumble and kiss her scraped knees. How he’d laugh and call her his little adventurer. That Ryan was gone, replaced by this man who scolded Lily for the sake of his first love’s daughter. She glanced toward the house, where Selena’s voice cooed over Rose, and Ryan’s low murmurs joined in. The contrast was unbearable. Later that evening, Diana sat on the edge of Lily’s bed, brushing her daughter’s hair as she recounted the day. “Rose said she liked Pudding,” Lily said quietly, her earlier tears dried but her voice still small. “I thought she’d be my friend.” “She still might be,” Diana offered, though the words felt hollow. “Sometimes people just need time.” Lily nodded, but her eyes stayed downcast. Diana tucked her in, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and lingered by the door after turning off the light. Downstairs, she could hear Ryan and Selena talking, their voices a muffled hum through the floorboards. She sank onto the couch, her hands twisting in her lap as memories of Ryan’s past kindness to Lily clashed with the coldness she’d just witnessed. For Selena’s daughter, he’d turned on his own. And that truth cut deeper than Diana could bear.