Chapter 4

Yates came home early the next morning looking like he hadn't slept at all. He'd brought me a long mist-blue dress.

"Wear this to the graduation."

When I didn't take it, he crouched down instead and slipped my house shoes onto my feet.

"I fixed the school records. Today, you're Yale's mother."

It wasn't until we reached the preschool that I saw Yara was wearing the exact same shade of mist blue. Even the shopping bags were from the same boutique.

Apparently, comforting Yale wasn't the only thing Yates had been doing all night.

As we headed inside, he took my hand. "Once he graduates, I'll come with you to pick him up every day."

For the first time in three years, the access gate turned green when I scanned in.

[Welcome, Yale Foster's Mother.]

Yates gave my hand a light squeeze. "Happy now?"

Ms. Carter came hurrying over before I could answer.

"Mr. Foster, the Outstanding Parent award ceremony is about to start, but Ms. Xavier still hasn't changed into her ceremony dress."

The smile faded from Yates's face. "Keep the program as planned."

I turned to him.

Relief flashed across Ms. Carter's face, though she quickly added, "But Ms. Lawson is here today too..."

After a brief pause, Yates said, "Then just add another seat for the family."

Yale came running over just then. The moment he spotted me, he planted himself in front of Yara as if he needed to protect her.

"Why does she get to sit with the family too?"

"Yale, that's enough," Yates said sharply.

"I'm not doing anything!" Yale glared at me. "She was never the one who came to school with me!"

Yara's eyes immediately reddened. She pulled off her name badge and murmured, "Forget it. I won't take part."

Yale burst into tears and threw his arms around her.

"No!"

Yates instinctively reached out to steady Yara as Yale clung to her.

"You stay with Winnie," Yara said softly. "Don't worry about me."

Yates frowned. "Don't force yourself."

Then he looked at me.

"Winnie."

One word was enough. I already knew what he wanted.

"Just this once."

He came over and smoothed the hem of my dress.

"It's his graduation. I don't want him to have any regrets about today."

Ten minutes later, Yara was onstage accepting the award as three years' worth of photos of her and Yale together cycled through on the screen behind her.

The host smiled. "Let's thank Yale's mom for three years of loving support."

Yates reached for my hand where we sat in the audience.

I pulled it away.

The final activity was a graduation time capsule. Each child was supposed to seal away one favorite family photo.

Yale chose one with Yates on one side and Yara on the other, holding his hands between them.

A staff member glanced at me. "Mrs. Foster, would you like us to take another photo?"

Yale immediately hugged the picture to his chest.

"No!"

He pointed at Yara.

"She's the mom in my picture."

This time, Yates's expression changed completely. He pulled me to his side.

"Winnie, he's still young. I'll make him apologize to you when we get home tonight."

He was about to continue when Ms. Carter hurried over with a file.

"Mr. Foster, we still need you to confirm Yale's pickup information for elementary school."

"Elementary school?"

I took the file from her.

Yara Xavier was listed as his mother, with Yates Foster's signature directly beneath her name. By the time I looked up, all the color had drained from his face.

"Winnie, I can explain."

My phone buzzed before he could.

[Ms. Lawson, would you like to accept the three-year assignment in Santara?]

I checked the deadline, then tapped Confirm.

[Your overseas assignment has been approved. Please report for duty in three days.]