Chapter 2

Lucas's personalized ringtone blared from Evan's phone. The second he answered, Lucas's voice burst out.

"Dad, there's a really pretty lady at our house looking for you. She says her name is Lily Lynn," Lucas announced.

At the sound of that name, Evan's hand froze, his pen leaving a dark blot of ink on the paper.

Lucas kept chattering, and Evan practically leaped from his chair and ran out.

That left me alone in the exam room, awkwardly making eye contact with the nurse, unsure if I should stay or leave.

Before long, Evan came hurrying toward me, holding an umbrella.

It wasn't my discomfort on his mind. He was anxious because I had the house keys.

"Sorry, Anna. I was in such a rush, I forgot," he said, out of breath, but he still remembered to angle the umbrella over me, keeping the rain off.

Taking care of Lily was second nature to him.

"I'm so sorry, Evan," Lily said, drying her hair with the towel he'd handed her. "I got into an argument with Charlie. Honestly, if it weren't for you, I'd be on the street."

Evan said, "I'm glad you came. You're three months pregnant and you're still running around? You need to be more careful."

Evan, who rarely raised his voice, scolded her. "And Charlie. I swear, I'm going to knock some sense into him."

Lucas bounced around Lily, his eyes shining. "You're so pretty, and you smell so nice."

Lily ruffled Lucas's hair, her smile crinkling her eyes. "You look so much like Evan. Guess I'll have two Evans looking after me now."

Lucas's face brightened further. "When I grow up, I'm going to marry you, and I'll be good to you forever."

Lily laughed and glanced at Evan. "See? Your son has your taste."

Evan smiled but said nothing, then walked over to me. "She's not in great shape, and with the pregnancy, her meals need to be light but still nutritious.

"Make sure there's enough protein. Eggs, chicken, that sort of thing."

I muttered, feeling a bitter knot in my stomach. "So, how many days am I supposed to cook for her?"

"Come on, you've been a mother yourself. Can't you be a little more understanding?" Evan said.

I pouted, feeling even more aggrieved. My fever still hadn't cleared up.

Evan sighed and pulled me into a hug, his voice softening. "Cook for her for a little while, okay? I'll talk things over with Charlie and see about getting Lily home soon, alright?"

Seeing that I was still upset, he kissed my cheek. "Your birthday's coming up in a few days. Lucas bought some craft supplies and he's making something by hand for you."

I glanced at Lucas, and couldn't help but smile. "That's his allowance, you know. He's always trying to get more out of me."

Lucas chimed in, "It's my allowance, but nothing matters more than Mom's birthday. But don't ask what it is. I promised to keep it secret."

I smiled, my eyes crinkling. "All right. I won't ask."

After all, I'd already seen it. The other day, Lucas's bedroom door wasn't shut all the way, and as I passed by, I spotted him sitting on the floor, carefully stringing beads together.

*****

Charlie landed a film role and essentially vanished for a month to focus on shooting.

During that time, he didn't want to be bothered unless it was a genuine emergency, and Lily being pregnant didn't qualify.

"Anna, can you hang in there a little longer?" Evan asked.

I nodded. Guess that was all I could do.

Maybe I was reading into things, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Lily didn't really like me.

She'd call me "Anna" in that sugary voice and even offer to help in the kitchen while I was cooking.

Once I was finished, her eyes would light up and she'd be the first to gush, "Anna, your cooking is amazing! No wonder Evan and Lucas are both so in love with you."

Evan and Lucas both thought she was genuinely praising me.

But Lucas, who usually loved my cooking, suddenly slammed his plate and fork onto the floor for the first time. "I don't want your food, Mom! I want pizza."

Staring at the scattered mess, I snapped at him, "You're growing. You can't be picky! Who taught you to throw things when you're upset?"

Lucas didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done. He locked eyes with me, stubborn and defiant, ready for a battle.

Lily walked over and gently put her arm around Lucas's shoulders, her voice honeyed. "Anna, don't be so hard on him.

"It's perfectly normal for kids to want something different now and then. Letting him have a treat won't do any harm."

Lucas jumped in, shouting, "Yeah! Mom, you never understand me. Why are you even my mom? I wish Lily were my mom instead."

I stood there, stunned, unable to react for a while.

Even Evan, carrying a dish out of the kitchen, stopped in his tracks and looked away.