st thing Mia noticed as she made her way down the stairs.S

rson cooked

ressed in a white blouse tucked into a pleated navy skirt, her favorite nude h

Like maybe, today, someo

rner, a familiar voice

look at th

t up.

Rosa pull her into a wa

aid, switching easily into Sp

y watering. "You're going to make

one who disap

olded, kissing her on the forehead before pulling her into a long, tight hug. "Yo

er shoulder. "You

you like them thin, soft, with the maple-honey butter. And fresh berri

little as she sat d

ndbabies are beautiful, but they

Mia's life for as long

who tucked her into bed, braided her hair for school, and whispere

e Mia was born. But everything changed when Mi

Rosa. Said she was "too familiar," "too sentimental." She brought in her own staff, h

why, not fully not until she was older and real

wrapped in expensive bows. Birthday ponies. Custom dolls. Private tutors.

ifts. Elena always said he lost

uestion it, kept smilin

r half-siste

rming. Alwa

guests, pretending to adore her. But beneath the hugs and giggle

the best anyway. Mia had always been too kind too trusting to see t

f her with a proud flourish. The pancakes were warm, golden, and

lly don't

You may be Mrs. Blackwood now,

ntly, digging

tsteps echoed

in her ch

mi

and immaculate, not a hair out of place. He moved like a

d cheerfully, pouring him a cup of black coff

e said, taking

," Rosa insisted. "Something made with lov

a giggle beh

e accepted the pancakes with silent grace and sipp

the other, Rosa bustling between them like a

n't spea

eyes met

Just enough to s

ropped

t let herself

otes scribbled in her handwriting and kissed her cheek goo

after him f

yet never

ing her shoulder. "He's made of stone,

e her a f