007 Protecting Lila

(Ava)

Zach and Kai are still at the ice cream truck when I notice Sienna drifting my way. 

She stops a few feet from our blanket and waves at Lila with a sugary smile. 

Then she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “They’re taking forever. That line is ridiculous.”

I don’t respond right away. 

Lila tries to grab my necklace, and I gently guide her hand to my shirt instead. 

My heart thumps, but I keep my face neutral.

Sienna lowers herself onto the blanket, smoothing her sundress over her knees. “Mind if I join you?” She doesn’t wait for my answer, just tucks her legs underneath her. 

She’s so perfectly poised. Everything about her is perfect. 

Outwardly.

I watch her from the corner of my eye. “Sure,” I say calmly. “We can wait together.”

She turns to look at Lila. “Hello, sweet girl. Want Auntie Si Si to hold you for a while?” 

Her arms stretch toward my daughter. “We always have so much fun together, don’t we?”

“She seems a little clingy today.” I say as Lila hugs into me and hides her face.

This can’t be coincidence, Lila refused Sienna’s kiss and now she won’t go to her. 

It’s never happened before now. Does Lila have memories like me? 

I thought I was going crazy but maybe I’m not.

Sienna blinks. “Maybe she’s just tired?”

“I think she’s teething again.”

“Oh, that’s always fun, not.” Sienna’s voice is casual, but I sense tension underneath. “I do hope that doesn’t mean you’ll be cutting out on the family cabin trip next weekend.”

I need to check my diary. My schedule has been a little blurry since… I mean since what? 

Since I came back from the dead because Lila said it wasn’t our time? 

It sounds crazy. 

But I can’t deny Lila is acting differently towards Sienna.

“I think even while teething, we can still enjoy the lake.” I force myself to be normal. 

Whatever has happened inside my head, I know that this blended family peace from Sienna is a ruse. 

I always knew that. 

But I did allow myself to believe I could trust her. 

Memories of her words over the phone at the hospital flood back.

You’re lucky I let you wake up in time to say goodbye.

Somehow she did it all and I have no clue how she’d pull off faked blood tests and drugging me, but I think that’s exactly what happened. 

I can’t even talk to anyone about this. Who’s going to believe me? Even my best friends will think I’ve totally lost it.

Sienna wants Zach for herself. 

Always has and she always will. 

But what kind of monster would take the life of an innocent child to get what she wants? A child she pretended to love. 

I know I have to be careful. 

If I spook her now, she might get desperate.

Sienna nods, her voice bright. “That’s great. Kai really loves the lake.” 

Then she lifts a brow. “Are you feeling okay? You seem a little off today.”

I force myself to relax. “I’m okay. Not much sleep can make me a little nutty.”

“Sure, teething is not fun," she agrees, studying me. 

Then she leans in a fraction. “But something’s different about you, Ava.”

My stomach clenches. I stroke Lila’s arm. “Really? I’m not sure how.”

Sienna’s fingers toy with the edge of the blanket. “Well, being here today for starters. It’s like you don’t trust me all of a sudden… ”

“I trust you the same.” 

Not exactly a lie. 

“But with Lila being so clingy, I figured it would be easier if I hung around today. Then she doesn’t have to miss out completely, that’s all.”

“It’s actually nice to have you and Zach join us. Kai loves time with his dad. But I know it’s important for you guys to have some alone time, so that’s why I bring them out each Sunday.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I hope so. It’s not always easy… our situation. But I do my best. Kai needs his dad, you know?”

“Yes. Our home is Kai’s home, whenever he needs it. You know that.”

“I do know that. I hope whatever was bothering you and Zach this morning passes quickly.”

I lower my gaze to Lila’s wide eyes then I look back at Sienna. “You noticed that?”

She smiles, but there’s no warmth in it. “I notice everything. You know that.”

My pulse kicks up. 

She’s right—she notices every tiny thing. 

She saw my weaknesses before and exploited them. I can’t let it happen again.

I force a shrug. “We all have our moods.”

Sienna studies me, then sighs theatrically. “He isn’t always easy to live with. That much I do know.”

Zach and Sienna had Kai eight years ago but he said they never lived together.

“It was a work call that pissed off Zach. We never argued or anything.”

“That’s good. I’d hate anything to burst the love bubble you two have going.”

“Bubble? I don’t think we live in a bubble. What we have is real.”

“Is it?” She tilts her head. “Or is that just what he wants you to think?”

My anger is rising but I push it down. “We’re fine. We’ll always be fine.”

“Of course. Tension is normal in any marriage.”

Lila squirms. I bounce her on my knee. “No tension. I’m just… dealing with stuff. Keeping our family a priority is a full time job.”

She breathes out a laugh. “I get it. Don’t worry.” She crosses her legs, leaning back on her palms. 

“This family’s my priority too. Kai deserves the best we can give him, and I know how much you love him. I’m so lucky you treat him like your own. Not all stepmothers—or step-aunts, technically—would do that.”

My cheeks grow hot. Step-aunt. She’d have to have that dig.

This arrangement has always been weird. 

Zach is ten years older than me. Not that much really.

But… he is also my step-uncle by marriage, my mother married Zach’s older brother. 

I keep my focus on Lila, who’s tugging at the strap of my smartwatch.

Sienna’s voice stays low. “Zach relies on me. I’m his best friend. You know that, right?”

I let the question hang.

She picks a stray piece of grass, twisting it in her fingers. “It’s part of how things work.”

She tosses the grass aside and keeps talking, “you and I both want Zach to be happy, to succeed. We both want Kai and Lila to grow up with everything they need.”

There’s a strange note in her tone, like a hint of warning. 

I don’t know how she falsified the paternity report but I know she did. She has the sort of money where you can get away with murder.

But that won’t be happening, not this time.