LOGINRosie glanced at Sebastian and lowered her voice, careful not to disturb her daughter."How did you get the recording?" she whispered. "This is the school's official recording, isn't it? I doubt the headmaster would simply give you a copy..."In truth, Sebastian had obtained the recording with Desiree's help. They had discovered that one of Desiree's university friends worked in the school's administration department, and she'd kindly provided Desiree with a copy, thinking little of it."I have my ways, don’t worry." Sebastian gave Rosie a reassuring smile. "I haven't aroused anyone's suspicions. Now, stop worrying and enjoy the film."Rosie still had a dozen questions she wanted to ask, but before she could open her mouth, Izzie tugged at the hem of her shirt."Look, Mummy!" the little girl exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the screen. "I'm blowing down the straw house built by the first little pig!"Rosie's attention immediately shifted to her daughter, and whatever questions she'd b
“Uncle, have you got any cake for me? You promised to give me cake after I played the Big Bad Wolf! My drama teacher said I was the best wolf they'd ever had!”Sebastian burst out laughing at Izzie’s enthusiastic question.“Hahaha! Yes, I watched your performance on your mum's phone. You were brilliant on stage.” He ruffled her hair affectionately. “You terrified those three little pigs. I reckon you could've made them cry if you'd howled a bit louder!”“Of course! I could’ve eaten them too if I'd wanted!” Izzie declared proudly.Without warning, she threw back her head and let out a series of enthusiastic howls, transforming the inside of the car into a miniature wolf's den.Sebastian immediately joined in, howling even louder to challenge his little niece.The resulting cacophony was enough to make Rosie shake her head in amusement.“Honestly, you two are as bad as each other,” she muttered, though she couldn't quite suppress her smile.For a while, the car was filled with laughter
It took them a while to finish all the courses. After lingering at the table for another half an hour, they finally got up to leave."Come on. We've still got somewhere else to visit," Sebastian announced."We do?" Izzie looked up at him, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Are we getting ice cream?""Izzie, you've already had cake and ice cream cake for dessert. You don't need any more ice cream," Rosie chided gently. "You'll make yourself ill if you eat too much."Izzie pouted, her little face falling with disappointment. Unfortunately, she knew her mummy was right.There had been plenty of occasions when she'd sneaked downstairs in the middle of the night to raid the fridge for biscuits and ice cream, only to wake up the following morning with a dreadful stomach ache.She couldn't exactly argue with that."Hahaha! No, we're not getting any more ice cream," Sebastian said, chuckling at his niece's crestfallen expression. "But I’ve got a present for you, Izzie.""A present?!"Izzie's ey
The restaurant owner and several waiters were already waiting inside. As soon as Sebastian, Rosie and Izzie arrived, the doors were opened for them, and the owner stepped forward with a welcoming smile."Good evening, Mr Edward Sterling, and..." Carlos's gaze shifted to Rosie and Izzie. His smile widened as he took in the two ladies accompanying his friend. "Two absolutely gorgeous ladies! I've been expecting you. Please, follow me to your table."Sebastian eyed Carlos suspiciously.The two men had been friends since university and had kept in touch even after Carlos moved to London. Sebastian had followed a year later, and their friendship had continued ever since.Naturally, Sebastian frequented Carlos's restaurant whenever he took a new woman out on a date.And that was quite often.Carlos was practically an expert on Sebastian's romantic history by now.Which was precisely why Sebastian didn't want his friend mentioning anything about his previous dates in front of Rosie and Izzie
Rosie followed Sebastian towards the restaurant, holding Izzie's hand as they crossed the car park.As Sebastian had promised, they were the only guests that evening. Most of the exterior lights had been switched off to preserve their privacy, and there wasn't a valet in sight.Not that Rosie minded. She was simply grateful that Sebastian had invited her and her daughter out for the evening.The restaurant was one she'd passed countless times on her way to the supermarket, its elegant façade and lavish interior always catching her eye. Unfortunately, it required a reservation, and even if she'd managed to secure one, she could never have afforded to dine there under Charles's watchful eye.Tonight, however, she didn't have to worry about any of that.Beside her, Izzie chattered away, happily recounting all sorts of stories about her school, her friends, her toys and the wonderfully peculiar things her seven-year-old imagination could conjure up.Charles had never been particularly int
The atmosphere between them grew even more awkward.Both Rosie and Sebastian remembered their conversation the previous night, along with the tender moments they'd shared before everything had come to an abrupt halt when Sebastian had accidentally uttered the one word he shouldn't have.Marriage.Sebastian cleared his throat, looking decidedly uncomfortable."I... er... I'm sorry about last night. I got caught up in the moment, so let's just forget about it, shall we?"Rosie slowly turned her head to look at him.Her lips remained pressed together, but her eyes said everything she couldn't bring herself to voice.How am I supposed to forget something like that?She was genuinely hurt.To Rosie, love and marriage were sacred. They weren't things to be thrown into a conversation as a passing remark, nor were they promises to be made simply because someone had become carried away by the moment.If Sebastian wanted to talk about marriage, she wanted him to mean it.And if he didn't, then
Her fingers trembled as she dialled his number.He picked up almost immediately.“Yes?”“Where is my daughter?” Rosie demanded.A soft chuckle. “You mean our daughter?”Her jaw tightened. “Don’t play games with me, Charles.”“She’s fine,” he said casually. “We’re at the toy store. She’s picking wha
Rosie sat at the dining table, the candlelight flickering softly against untouched plates. The roasted chicken—Isabella’s favourite—had long since gone cold.She glanced at the clock.Nine o’clock.Charles Sterling was not home.He had promised. He had promised their daughter he would return before
Rosie scarcely realised she had begun to run until the corridor stretched before her like something endless, her heels striking sharply against the marble as though urging her forward. Tears blurred her vision, spilling freely now, unchecked and unwelcome.This family… they’re all monsters.The tho
Rosie reacted at once, catching hold of her daughter’s arm and gently but firmly pulling her aside.“I’m so sorry, Sebastian,” she said quickly. “P–Please don’t be upset with Izzie. She’s only a child, I—”“Tch. It’s fine,” he cut in, dismissive. “Just make me the same smoothie. And from now on, yo







