The next test wasn't a message. It came with a smile.
Two days later at school pickup, Evelyn spotted a woman standing way too close to Noah. She was laughing a bit too hard at something he'd said. The woman was tall, put-together, in a camel coat that screamed money. She looked like she owned the place.
Evelyn slowed down without thinking.
Sophie saw her first. Daddy! She yelled, running ahead.
The woman smoothly crouched down and greeted Sophie by name.
Evelyn's stomach did a flip.
Noah looked up, like he was relieved to see Evelyn, but there was also a hint of worry there.
Hey, he said, kissing Evelyn's cheek. This is Claire.
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.
Claire? She asked, forcing a smile.
My sister, Noah, quickly said.
Oh, right. The sister from overseas.
Claire st
