The boy looked almost exactly like Shalane, with just a faint resemblance to Brent in the shape of his thin lips and almond eyes.
The boy took one look at me and scrunched up his face in disgust.
“You’re ugly! Not even a little bit as pretty as my mom.”
Then he turned back to Brent, tugging at his sleeve.
“Daddy, you promised me a big gift for my 10th birthday. What is it?”
Brent’s lips twitched at his rudeness, but he still answered patiently, “It’s already prepared. But you need to mind your manners—this is Aunt Camryn. Say hello.”
The boy immediately lifted his chin, glaring at me defiantly.
“I know who you are. You’re that shameless woman who stole my dad. We don’t like you. Go away!”
Brent froze, caught off guard. He was just about to scold him when Shalane stepped in with a gentle laugh.
“Brent, he’s just a kid. He doesn’t mean it. Don’t be too harsh. He barely gets to see you—of course, he’d feel upset.”
Brent’s face tightened with guilt. He crouched down, smoothing the boy’s hair.
“Galvin, be good. Daddy will spend more time with you from now on, okay?”