Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 117

By late August, Northwood City already carried the crisp, subtle chill of early autumn. The autumn blooms along the Lira River had burst into color earlier than usual this year.

As evening approached, the sunset painted the river's surface in brilliant strokes of crimson. The sweet, refreshing scent of blossoms wafted down the long promenades, filling the air.

It was the weekend, and the grassy banks were steadily filling up with families and couples setting up camp to enjoy the scenery.

Jasper Kane found a relatively secluded spot and began setting up a canopy tent.

Hester and Gigi were busy collecting fallen petals under one of the larger blooming trees.

Gigi squatted in the grass, painstakingly picking up the prettiest flowers. She was wearing the pink princess dress Hester had bought her, her hair tied into two bouncy pigtails. She looked so soft and adorable that passersby couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.

Hester crouched nearby, her phone raised as she snapped photo after photo of the little girl.

Once she left the country, seeing Gigi again would be nearly impossible.

She wanted to capture as many moments as she could, so that whenever she missed the little girl, she could open her gallery and feel close to her.

After filling a tiny woven basket with petals, Gigi decided she had enough and trotted over to Hester.

"Mama~" Gigi proudly held up her little basket. "Flowers, lots!"

"You did so well, sweetheart! Look at all those pretty blooms!" Hester gently pinched her soft cheek, her voice melting with affection. "Should we go back and find Daddy now?"

Gigi nodded, her voice impossibly sweet. "Okay~"

Hester stood up, taking Gigi's small hand to walk back toward their campsite.

"Pretty Lady!"

A clear, bright childish voice rang out from ahead.

Hester stopped in her tracks and looked up.

Less than fifty feet away, Caden let go of Lena's hand and sprinted toward them.

At the sight of him, Gigi's little brow furrowed into a tight frown.

She tilted her head back, fixing her huge, dark eyes on Hester. "Mama, up!"

Hester was torn.

Even though Gigi was tiny, Hester wasn't even out of her first trimester yet; her doctors had strictly warned her against heavy lifting.

As she tried to figure out how to gently refuse, Caden had already closed the distance.

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