Elowen stroked him gently. "She doesn't deserve to be your mother! Ryan, why don't you call me Mom?"
Ryan looked up, his brows knitting together. "But Elowen, you're not my mom."
Pain flickered across Elowen's face.
"The party's starting." Ryan called out. "Come on, Elowen."
Elowen could only follow him inside.
*****
In the other ballroom.
Aurelia took Scarlett by the hand, led her to the center, and made her sit beside him.
The gathering was fairly small, with only two or three tables. Some guests were Lucien's friends, while most were children around Aurelia's age.
A sweet looking little girl wandered over to Scarlett and studied her curiously. "Aurelia, who's she?"
"My mom." Aurelia's face remained expressionless.
The little girl's eyes went wide. "You have a mom?"
"Hey!" L
