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Chapter Twelve: In Out of the Rain

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2026-01-05 19:02:24

Alice’s POV

“It’s nearly your bedtime,” I told her in matter-of-fact tones, brushing off her outburst.

Camilla cried, “I’m calling Aunt Lily!” She spun around, and ran upstairs, her little feet thudding heavily, all the way up.

I didn’t stop her. I didn’t even sigh.

It was a little later when I heard movement at the door. David was home.

He wasted no time helping himself to the desserts our cook had prepared earlier. He sat on the couch, took his first bite — then stopped.

He tilted his head, looking at me more closely. “This one,” he said slowly, “you didn’t make it, did you?”

So, he could tell. Which meant that all these years, he hadn’t been oblivious to my efforts. He’d just been comfortable treating everything I did, as a given.

“You…” He looked at me again, his tone softening. “Are you feeling any better, Alice?”

As he spoke, he stood and walked toward me, his hand lifting instinctively, like he was about to check my forehead.

I stepped back before he could touch me, turning my
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