Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 28

"Understood." The teacher turned around and headed back toward the classroom building.

Director Warren led Caden right up to Hester. He crouched down and affectionately ruffled the boy's hair. "Caden, this is the very first time your mom has come to visit you at school. Aren't you just thrilled?"

Caden stared blankly at Hester, his tiny brows furrowed, his doe-like eyes locked onto her without a single blink. His expression was a mix of pure shock and genuine confusion.

Hester was now just a few feet away from the little boy. Standing this close, the boy looked even more terrifyingly like Julian. Especially the intense way their brows pinched together...

Seeing that Caden had entirely frozen up, Director Warren suddenly felt incredibly awkward. But considering Mrs. Weston had made a special trip all the way here just to see her son, he absolutely couldn't let her leave disappointed.

So, he doubled down on coaxing the boy. "Caden, are you too excited to speak? Come on, say 'Mommy'!"

Director Warren gave the stunned little boy a gentle shove. Caden stumbled forward, his tiny body pitching straight toward Hester.

Hester instinctively reached out and gripped his small arms, catching him just in time to stop him from slamming into her stomach.

Once Caden found his footing, she quickly pulled her hands away. Then, she glanced at the highly uncomfortable Director. "Director Warren, feel free to get back to your duties. I'd like to have a word with the child."

Director Warren nodded eagerly, stood up, and rushed off.

The sprawling, empty playground was now left entirely to Hester and Caden.

Caden's little face was pulled tight with anxiety. His tiny hands clutched the hem of his shirt, and he kept his head down, far too scared to look at Hester.

Hester stared down at him, assessing every detail. With the boy's head bowed, she clearly saw that he had two distinct cowlicks right at the crown of his head.

Exactly like Julian.

They always said people with two cowlicks were impossibly stubborn and hard-headed. Yet Director Warren claimed this child was polite, brilliant, and an absolute delight to be around.

It just proved how incredibly dedicated Julian had been to this boy's upbringing.

Hester broke the silence with a cold, flat voice. "What is your name?"

Caden kept his head down, muttering something barely as loud as a mosquito.

"My mommy gets dizzy when her blood sugar drops too. Miss, do you want a piece of candy?"

As he spoke, Caden dug a piece of candy out of his pocket, peeled off the wrapper, and held it right up to Hester's face.

Hester's blurry vision began to slowly clear. The boy's tiny fingers were pinching a small orange drop.

"Miss, this candy is really, really yummy. If you eat it, you won't feel sick anymore."

Before she could even respond, the sweet orange candy was already pressing against her lips.

Hester furrowed her brow, staring at the little boy in front of her, entirely at a loss for how to react.

"Don't worry, Miss, it's super delicious. I secretly sneak a few to school every day. When you feel sick, it makes you feel better, and when you're sad, it makes you happy again!"

The sweet, innocent voice of a child possessed a bizarrely magical, soothing power. Hester stared at the little boy, clearly seeing genuine, unfiltered concern shining in his innocent eyes.

Something deep inside Hester's chest unexpectedly fluttered. "You..."