Clara’s eyes brightened a little, and she took the candies with a hesitant smile. I’d noticed Rachel’s disdain for my daughter several times before, but tonight was different. She seemed almost... genuine.
"Thank you, Rachel,” Clara mumbled.
Rachel forced a smile. “It’s my pleasure, Princess. How about I persuade your father to take you for that run?"
I shook my head almost immediately, still wary of Rachel's sudden kindness. “Never mind that now. Clara, dear, I can take you for a run after the party. We can have a special time together.”
However, Rachel was already walking up the dais, towards Randolf. I watched his eyes lit up as she approached him. He leaned his entire body towards her, as she whispered into his ear. The sight of them made me physically sick, and I tried to tamp It down.
I stood in silence, with my daughter clutched against my chest. Randolf's eyes darted to us, then back to Rachel and nodded.
Rachel came back to us with a smile that did nothing to ease my tension. "Hear that, Clara? Daddy is up for a ride."
I let out an impatient sigh. "You shouldn't have bothered, Rachel—"