Rain tapped against the villa’s windows, a soft, steady beat that filled the quiet Sunday afternoon. 
Diana stood in the living room, a basket of clean laundry at her feet. She folded Lily’s tiny shirts, the familiar task calming her nerves. 
The air smelled faintly of lavender, but it couldn’t chase away the heaviness she felt. Selena and Rose had been here too long, and the house didn’t feel like hers anymore. 
She glanced at Lily, who sat on the rug nearby, her dolls lined up in a row. At six, Lily loved pretend games, and today her bunny doll, Pudding, was the star of a little story she mumbled to herself.
“Pudding’s going to a party,” Lily said, her voice bright as she moved the bunny’s floppy ears. “She needs a hat.” She grabbed a scrap of paper, folding it into a tiny cone, and giggled as she set it on Pudding’s head.
Diana smiled, her heart warming. “That’s a fancy hat,” she said

The phone rang just as Diana finished bandaging Lily’s hands, the sharp trill cutting through the quiet of the house.
She glanced at the clock midmorning, the sun barely cresting the trees outside.
Lily sat on the couch, flipping through a picture book, her small fingers careful around the fresh bandages.
Diana wiped her hands on a towel and picked up the receiver, her voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing her down.
“Hello?”
“Diana, it’s Claire.”
Ryan’s mother’s tone was brisk, as always, but there was a warmth beneath it when she added, “I’d like to see Lily today.”
“It’s been too long.”
Diana hesitated, glancing at her daughter.
After yesterday’s disaster at the amusement park, she wasn’t sure she wanted to face anyone, let alone Claire.
But Lily loved her grandmother, and the distraction might do her good.
“We’ll be there this afternoon,” she said finally.
“Good. See you then.”

The sun shone bright over the villa that Saturday morning, spilling golden light into the kitchen. 
Diana stood by the stove, flipping pancakes, the sweet smell mixing with the faint lavender she loved. 
Lily sat at the table, her crayons scratching across a page as she drew a big, colorful Ferris wheel. 
Her dark hair fell over her face, and she stuck her tongue out a little, focused hard. At six years old, she’d been talking about the amusement park nonstop dreaming of rides, cotton candy, and fun. 
Diana smiled at her, hoping today could be special, maybe a day to bring their family closer. Things had been tense lately, and she wanted something good for them all.
“Mommy, can we go to the park today?” Lily asked, looking up with big, hopeful eyes. “I want Daddy to take me on the Ferris wheel!”
Diana turned the pancake, her heart lifting. “Maybe, sweetheart. Let’s see what Daddy says.” She glanced at the clock. Ryan would be up soon. She pictured them all together laughing, sharing snacks, like they used to when Lily was little. It felt like a dream worth chasing.
The living room door swung open, and Ryan walked in, jingling his car keys. He looked tired, his broad shoulders slouched, his face set in a frown. 
“I’m taking Selena and Rose to the amusement park,” he said, like it was no big deal. He didn’t even look at Diana, just grabbed his jacket from the chair.
Lily dropped her crayon, her face lighting up. “Can I come, Daddy? Please? I’ve never been! I want to ride the Ferris wheel with you!” Her voice was so excited, it filled the room.
Ryan stopped, his hand on the jacket. He sighed, like her words annoyed him. “Not today, Lily,” he said, still not looking at her. “It’s just for Rose. She’s had a hard time lately.” His tone was flat, final.
Lily’s smile faded fast. Her shoulders slumped, and she stared at her drawing, the Ferris wheel suddenly looking lonely. 
Diana put the spatula down, her hands shaking a little. “Ryan,” she said, keeping her voice calm, “Lily’s been asking about the park for weeks. We could all go. It’d be a fun family day.”
He finally turned, his eyes sharp with irritation. “I said no, Diana. Selena planned this for Rose. That’s it.” He zipped his jacket, ready to leave.
Before Diana could say more, Selena stepped into the kitchen, Rose holding her hand. Selena’s dark hair fell over her shoulders, and she smiled a little too sweetly. 
“Oh, it’d be nice if they came along,” she said, her voice soft but fake. 
“The girls could play together.” She looked at Diana, her eyes gleaming like she was daring her to argue.
Ryan shrugged, giving in but not happy about it. “Fine. Get ready,” he muttered, already heading for the door. It didn’t feel like a win just him giving up. Diana swallowed hard, pushing down the hurt, and turned to Lily. “Let’s go, sweetie. Grab your shoes.”
An hour later, they were in the car, driving to the park. Lily bounced in the backseat, talking fast about rides and snacks. 
“I want a balloon, and maybe a hot dog!” she said, her excitement bubbling over. Diana sat up front, her hands tight in her lap, watching Ryan drive. He stared straight ahead, quiet, like he was somewhere else. 
Selena and Rose sat in the back too, Selena whispering to her daughter. Diana wanted this day to fix things, but her stomach twisted with doubt.
The amusement park was loud and bright when they got there. Kids ran everywhere, laughing and shouting. 
Rides spun and whirred, and the air smelled like sugar and popcorn. Ryan walked ahead, holding Rose’s hand, Selena right beside them.
Lily skipped next to Diana, her eyes huge as she took it all in the carousel with its pretty horses, the roller coasters zooming high, the colorful balloons floating above.
“Daddy, look!” Lily called, pointing at a man selling big, shiny balloons. “Can we get one? Please?” Her voice was so happy, it made Diana’s chest ache. 
But Ryan didn’t turn. He stopped at a cart instead, buying a fluffy pink cotton candy. “Here you go, sweetheart,” he said to Rose, his voice warm and soft. 
Rose giggled, pulling at the sticky strands, and Ryan patted her head, smiling.
Lily slowed down, her hand squeezing Diana’s. “I like cotton candy too,” she said quietly, almost to herself. Diana knelt down, brushing Lily’s hair back. 
“We’ll get some later, okay?” she said, faking a big smile. “How about the carousel first?” Lily nodded, but her eyes stayed on her dad.
They walked to the carousel, its music bouncy and bright. Diana helped Lily onto a blue horse with a golden mane. 
The ride started, and the horses went up and down, spinning slow. Diana stood close, holding Lily’s hand, but Lily kept looking over at Ryan. 
He was far off now, lifting Rose up to see a game booth, laughing loud enough to hear over the noise. Lily’s smile slipped away, her little face growing sad.
When the ride stopped, Diana led Lily back toward the others. Ryan was at the game booth, tossing rings onto bottles. 
He won a stuffed bear and handed it to Rose, who hugged it tight. “Good job, kiddo,” he said, grinning. Lily stood nearby, watching, her hands empty. She didn’t say anything, just starred as Rose snuggled her new toy.
“Having fun?” Selena’s voice came from behind Diana. She held an ice cream cone, her smile too perfect. 
“Ryan’s so sweet with Rose, isn’t he? He’s always been great with her.” Her words felt like a poke, sharp and mean under the nice tone.
Diana nodded, her jaw tight. “He’s good like that,” she said, keeping it short. She didn’t want to play Selena’s game. 
Selena handed her the ice cream and walked off, leaving Diana with a cold cone she didn’t want. She turned to Lily, who sat on a bench now, kicking at the ground. “Want to try some games?” Diana asked, sitting beside her.
“Okay,” Lily said, her voice small. They went to a booth with bean bags, tossing them at a target.
Lily threw one, but it missed, landing in the dirt. She sighed, looking over at Ryan again. He was buying Rose a little toy car now, his back to them. “Daddy doesn’t want me here, does he?” Lily asked, her eyes big and shiny with tears.
Diana’s heart broke. She dropped to her knees, holding Lily’s face gently. “Oh, sweetie, he’s just busy today,” she said, hating how weak it sounded.
“But I’m here, and I want you here. We’ll have our own fun, okay?” Lily nodded, but the hurt didn’t leave her face.
Diana hugged her tight, looking over her shoulder at Ryan. He was laughing with Rose, like Lily wasn’t even there. 
Anger burned in her chest, mixing with the sadness. She couldn’t let this keep happening. Lily deserved better than a dad who didn’t see her. 
From now on, Diana promised herself, she’d make sure Lily felt loved, no matter what Ryan did.

Rain tapped against the villa’s windows, a soft, steady beat that filled the quiet Sunday afternoon. 
Diana stood in the living room, a basket of clean laundry at her feet. She folded Lily’s tiny shirts, the familiar task calming her nerves. 
The air smelled faintly of lavender, but it couldn’t chase away the heaviness she felt. Selena and Rose had been here too long, and the house didn’t feel like hers anymore. 
She glanced at Lily, who sat on the rug nearby, her dolls lined up in a row. At six, Lily loved pretend games, and today her bunny doll, Pudding, was the star of a little story she mumbled to herself.
“Pudding’s going to a party,” Lily said, her voice bright as she moved the bunny’s floppy ears. “She needs a hat.” She grabbed a scrap of paper, folding it into a tiny cone, and giggled as she set it on Pudding’s head.
Diana smiled, her heart warming. “That’s a fancy hat,” she said, smoothing a pair of socks. “Who’s coming to her party?”
“Everyone!” Lily said, her eyes spar

Chapter 4