Ava's POV
The child’s voice was familiar. My head turned, my senses locking onto the source with precision.
And then I saw him. Jasper.
He had jumped up from his seat in the front row, his small hands clapping excitedly, his scent bright and warm. He seemed very proud of her.
Right beside him sat Victor. He was relaxed and composed. His legs were crossed like he owned the entire room. But it was his expression that made something inside me snap.
It was soft and indulgent. There was no correction from him when Jasper addressed Laura as Mommy.
He simply watched Jasper with approval… as if everything about that moment was right.
A hollow sound escaped my throat before I could stop it. It sounded like a laugh, but it didn’t feel like one.
It felt like something was breaking within me.
