Chapter 242 Small Worlds
Mia’s POV
The morning routine felt off as Alexander kept asking if “Uncle Thomas was coming today” while Ethan quietly observed everything
“Mama, you’re making your worried face again,” Alexander announced as I helped him into his dinosaur backpack.
“I don’t have a worried face,” I protested, checking his lunch box for the third time.
“Yes, you do,” Ethan said matter–of–factly, adjusting his own backpack with typical precision. “It’s the same face you make when Gas eats something he’s not supposed to.”
“Or when we play with matches,” Alexander added helpfully.
“You don’t play with matches,” I said sharply, then caught their exchanged glance. “Right? Please tell me you don’t play with matches.”
“We don’t play with matches,” they chorused.
“Alexander James Williams, look me in the eyes and tell me you have never, ever touched the matches in the kitchen drawer.”
His gray eyes–so much like his father’s–widened innocently. “I never touched the matches in the kitchen drawer, Mama.‘
The careful phrasing sent up red flags immediately. “What about matches that aren’t in the kitchen drawer?”
Ethan elbowed his brother hard in the ribs.
“There might have been some matches in the living room last week,” Alexander admitted, his voice getting smaller. “But we didn’t light them! We just wanted to see what they smelled like!”
“Jesus
Christ,” I muttered, then caught myself. “I mean… we’ll talk about this later. Get in the car. Now.”
The drive to Bright Beginnings Preschool was filled with my stern lecture about fire safety while the twins nodded solemnly in the backseat.“And if I ever catch you near matches again-
“Mama, look at that car!” Ethan’s voice was filled with awe.
I glanced where he was pointing and felt my breath catch. Parked directly in front of the preschool was a car that looked like it cost more than my apartment. Sleek, black, and unmistakably expensive. A Bentley. One of those ultra–luxury vehicles that even a four–year–old boy can tell that it is expensive.
“Wow,” Alexander breathed. “That’s like a superhero car.”
“Someone’s parent must be really rich,” Ethan observed.
I pulled into a parking spot three cars down, my eyes still fixed on the luxury vehicle. In the four years I’d been bringing the twins to Bright Beginnings, I’d never seen anything like it in the parent pickup line. The school
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Chapter 242 Small Worlds
+25 BONUS
attracted successful families, sure, but this was on another level entirely.
The driver’s door opened, and Lautomatically turned to see who emerged.
But the angle was wrong, and another car blocked my view. All I caught was a glimpse of expensive shoes and the hem of what looked like a designer coat before the figure disappeared into the school building.
“Come on, boys,” I said, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in my stomach. “Let’s get you inside.”
Ms. Rodriguez greeted us at the classroom door with her usual warm smile. “Good morning, Williams family! Boys, we have something exciting today–a new friend is joining our class.”
Alexander perked up immediately. He loved making new friends, approaching every new person like a potential adventure buddy.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” he asked.
“A little girl named Madison,” Ms. Rodriguez replied. “She’s very excited to meet everyone.”
The name hit me like a physical blow. Madison. As in Madison Whitmore? As in Victoria’s daughter who’d accused my sons of pushing her at Jeo’s wedding just a few days ago
“Madison?” I repeated, hoping my voice sounded casual instead of panicked.
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