Alex stood on his tiptoes, craning his neck to peer into the casket. He wasn’t afraid—just curious—as he studied his daddy’s mommy.
“Should I call her Grandma?” he wondered silently, tilting his head.
But the longer he looked, the more his brows furrowed. Tugging on Justin’s sleeve, he looked up and said, “Uncle Justin, I’ve seen her before.”
Justin blinked, caught off guard.
“It was at the mall. Aunt Helen took me to the makeup store, and we ran into this grandma. They argued over a tube of lipstick, but Aunt Helen lost.” Alex squinted, trying to remember the scene clearly.
Justin’s eyes turned red. His son had once met his mother. What a strange, precious stroke of fate.
*
Soon after, Lily arrived with Justin’s cousin, Alexander. After bowing and paying their respects, they made their way over to Haley and the twins.
“You must be Haley,” Lily said warmly, her features bearing a subtle resemblance to Heidi’s.
Haley glanced at Justin, unsure.
“This is my aunt—my mom’s siste
