Sophie barely remembered her biological mother, nb who had left when she was a toddler and had only sporadic contact since.
Marcus had never pressured me to take her place.
Neither had Sophie.
Until that moment.
I crouched beside her.
“You can call me Elena. You can call me Mom. You can call me Captain Pancake if you want.”
She laughed.
Then her face became serious.
“But you’re staying forever?”
I smiled.
“That’s the plan.”
She nodded, apparently satisfied.
Then she leaned toward my ear.
“Okay. Then I can finally tell you Daddy’s secret.”
My smile froze.
Children say strange things.
I knew that.
I expected something harmless.
Maybe Marcus had eaten the chocolate I’d hidden in the pantry.
Maybe he had bought a puppy.
Maybe there was another ridiculous wedding surprise waiting somewhere.
Instead, Sophie whispered:
“Daddy goes to see a lady every Saturday.”
