Sebastian hadn't anticipated this. He was tall, and the kid just barreled straight into his legs like a tiny ball of energy, lacking any real force.
He looked down.
The first thing he noticed was a fluffy StellaLou bunny-ear hat. A small backpack hung off one shoulder, the other strap dangling over her little arm.
The impact made the toddler stumble back a step. She clutched her soft, pale cheeks with her little hands and let out an adorable, "Oof."
Instinctively, Sebastian reached out, his large hand gently catching the back of her head to keep her from falling backward.
"Did that hurt?" he asked softly.
Lily rubbed her slightly red nose, looked up at him, and flashed a smile that revealed her adorable dimples. "Nope!"
Meeting that bright, innocent little face, Sebastian froze for a fraction of a second.
Something faint but sharp tugged at his heart.
It was a sensation so strange and foreign that he couldn't quite process or define it.
Lily remembered her promise to Raelynn that she only had twenty minutes to play. She checked her kids' smartwatch and craned her neck to look up at him again. "I'm sorry I bumped into you, Mister! Bye-bye!"
With an impish grin, she waved her hand and jogged past him, heading in the opposite direction.
Before Sebastian could even process the interaction and say another word, the little girl was already sprinting away.
His eyes unconsciously followed her retreating figure, watching the bunny ears on her hat flop up and down.
He took an involuntary step in her direction.
"Sebastian? You really like that little girl, don't you?" Seraphina noted his reaction. She frowned as she glanced in the direction Lily had gone. "She is a cute kid."
Truthfully, she hated it when Sebastian showed any interest in other children. Wasn't Shane much cuter?
Sebastian finally pulled his gaze away, his fingers absently rubbing his ring finger. "It's nothing. She just reminded me of someone."
"Really? Who?" Seraphina asked, confused.
If Mommy knew she got hurt, she would worry. Lily didn't want her mom to worry; she already worked so hard.
She dug into her pocket and pulled out the piece of candy her new friend had given her, specifically saving it for Raelynn. She unwrapped it and held it up to Raelynn's lips. "Did Mommy win the argument?"
"Of course I did."
"Did anyone bully Mommy?"
"Nope, Mommy is very tough."
Chloe gripped the steering wheel and playfully complained, "Where's mine? Where's mine? Why does only Mommy get one?"
Lily answered with utmost seriousness, "I'll buy you one next time, Chlo! I only have one right now, and I only want to give it to Mommy. I don't want her to share with anyone. Love isn't something you can share."
Raelynn froze.
A faint, bitter smile touched her lips.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...