Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 7

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"Daddy, are you listening to me?" Caden tugged hard on Julian's hand. "I want chocolate cake!"

Julian broke eye contact with Hester and looked down at the boy, his voice a low, gentle rumble. "You just broke your fever. You can't have chocolate yet."

Caden's face fell, and his lip jutted out in a pout.

Julian affectionately ruffled the boy's hair. "Once you're completely better, I promise I'll buy you the biggest piece."

"Fine!" Caden nodded obediently, quickly recovering his spirits. He pointed at the display case again. "Then can we get Mommy's favorite strawberry cake today instead?"

"Yeah." Julian nodded. He ordered a slice of strawberry cake to go, pulling out his phone to pay.

Through the entire interaction, he didn't throw a single glance back in Hester's direction.

Hester sat perfectly still, watching them unblinkingly. The way Julian patiently and tenderly handled the child was the absolute picture of a model father. If her twins had survived, would he have been this devoted to them?

In the past, Hester would have stormed right over and demanded an explanation, causing a massive scene. Not anymore.

Julian's deliberate decision to ignore her was the most visceral answer he could have given. This little boy named Caden had monopolized every ounce of his fatherly devotion. He had long forgotten about the twins they lost. He had a new family, a new child, and he was no longer the decent, committed husband she thought she knew.

Their marriage had rotted to the core. Confrontations and screaming matches were utterly pointless now. Yet, watching him lavish so much love on that child, she couldn't stop the venom from pooling in her veins. The injustice of it all burned for the children she had buried! How dare he live with such perfect peace of mind?

Julian remained seemingly oblivious to her rage. Holding the pastry box in one hand and Caden's small hand in the other, he walked out of the café.

The man's tall, athletic frame cast a protective shadow over the boy as they strolled out into the sunlight, heading straight for the parked Maybach on the curb.