Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 112

"Lena, Caden is awake."

Lena turned from the sink and saw Hester standing in the doorway. "Oh, good! Let me just finish washing these vegetables and I'll go keep him company."

"He's being very good. I just wanted to let you and Celeste know to make a few extra kid-friendly dishes for dinner tonight. Something easy on his stomach would be best."

"You got it!" Lena agreed with an eager nod.

Hester grabbed a bowl of freshly washed strawberries from the counter and carried them out to the living room, setting them on the coffee table.

Sitting on the sofa, Caden instinctively swallowed hard at the sight of the bright red fruit.

Hester looked at him, her tone gentle. "Dinner will be a little while longer. Have some fruit to hold you over."

Caden swallowed again, his voice tiny. "Thank you, Pretty Lady."

Such a polite, sensible child. It made her heart ache for him.

Hester gently ruffled his hair. "You're welcome. Go ahead."

"I haven't washed my hands yet," Caden said, looking up at her. "Pretty Lady, where is the bathroom, please?"

Hester pointed toward the hall. "Right down there."

"Thank you!" Caden hopped off the sofa and sprinted toward the guest bathroom.

Watching him run, Hester frowned slightly. "Slow down! Be careful!"

Hearing her, Caden immediately slowed to a cautious walk.

When he returned to the living room, he picked up a large strawberry but held it out toward Hester first.

Hester, who had been looking down at her phone, paused as the bright red berry appeared in her line of sight.

She looked up into Caden's beautiful, wide eyes.

They were sparkling with innocent, eager joy. "Pretty Lady, you have the first one!"

Her chest tightened. Smiling, she patted his head. "Thank you, sweetheart, but I'm not hungry. You eat it."

Caden blinked, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face.

Perhaps it was because he was so well-behaved, but Hester couldn't shake the feeling that his politeness was rooted in a desperate need to appease the adults around him.

Her suspicions grew, though she kept her expression perfectly composed.

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