Meanwhile, Shalane handed the old woman a pearl bracelet with a sweet smile, and my mother-in-law’s face instantly lit up. Regina slipped it onto her wrist, admiring it as she beamed.
“Oh, Shalane, you always know what I like! I love pearls—it makes my mood light up!”
Then, she turned to me with a sneer.
“Not like some people, always looking like they’re at a funeral. Even their gifts bring bad luck.”
Just then, Brent’s grip on my hand loosened. The moment he saw the children, he let go completely and rushed toward them.
“Galvin! Devin! Did you miss Daddy?”
He knelt and pulled them both into a tight hug.
Shalane watched them with a soft, satisfied smile—like a wife watching her husband with their children. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she reached out and kissed my husband’s cheek.
Brent’s hand lifted to brush aside the loose strands of hair at her temple as he asked gently, “Was the flight exhausting? Were Galvin and Devin well-behaved?”
And then, as if suddenly remembering his actual wife was still standing there, he cleared his throat, took the little boy’s hand, and led him toward me.
“Camryn, this is Galvin. He’s the big brother.”