Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 228

Hearing that, Caden’s face fell slightly.

He looked up at Hester, a profound sense of jealousy and longing swimming in his eyes.

He wanted to sleep in his godmother's bed, too.

As if reading his mind, Gigi tapped her chin thoughtfully and shook her head. “You can’t sleep with her, Caden. You’re a boy! My daddy said boys and girls shouldn't sleep in the same bed. I don’t even sleep with my daddy anymore, and I’m little! That would be embarrassing.”

Caden looked utterly defeated.

Hester stood on the steps, her expression entirely unreadable.

Julian and Caden’s sudden appearance was unexpected, but given everything that had happened, it wasn't surprising.

Julian was the kind of man who moved through the world assuming everything revolved around him. Showing up unannounced and using a child to force an interaction was exactly his brand of arrogance.

Aside from a flare of deep annoyance, she felt absolutely nothing.

She wasn't going to cause a scene in front of the kids.

“Gigi,” Hester said smoothly. “Take Caden inside and get some breakfast.”

“Okay!” Gigi grabbed Caden’s hand tightly. “Come on, let’s go eat!”

Caden nodded, obediently following Gigi into the inn.

Sensing the incoming storm, Ms. Crane tactfully excused herself. “I’ll just... go make sure they’re settled. You two take your time.”

With Ms. Crane gone, the courtyard fell into a tense, suffocating silence.

Julian took a slow step toward Hester.

Hester didn't flinch. She simply watched him approach, her posture rigid.

He didn't want Caden going overseas because he deemed Seraphina an unfit mother.

So who did that leave to fill the role?

Hester read the unspoken answer in his eyes and felt a surge of pure disgust.

He was the one who had literally told her she would make a terrible mother. Now that Caden was crying for her, suddenly she was perfectly qualified?

The man was completely, hopelessly delusional.

Hester was too exhausted to even point out the hypocrisy. She was done entertaining this conversation.

“Seraphina is his mother. If she wants to take her own child away, that is her absolute right.”

Hester’s tone was dead and flat. “If you genuinely believe you can play savior and take responsibility for that boy for the rest of his life, take it up with her. Frankly, whether he stays with you or leaves with her is none of my business.”