CEO Single Dad Falls For Her, Never Expected She’d Love His Kids Like Her Own
Chapter 11
The hardest day came later.
Lily’s birthday.
She turned eight.
Everyone celebrated.
Cake.
Balloons.
Presents.
But that night, she disappeared.
Ethan found her in Claire’s old room.
She was holding a photograph.
“I miss her.”
Ethan sat beside her.
“I know.”
“Does Ava miss her too?”
Ethan thought.
“I think she respects her.”
“Is that the same?”
“No.”
Lily looked at him.
“Can I love both?”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Ava stood quietly in the doorway.
Lily saw her.
“Come here.”
Ava sat beside them.
Lily held both their hands.
“I don’t want Mom to think I forgot her.”
Ava squeezed her fingers.
“You won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because loving someone doesn’t mean you stop loving someone else.”
Lily leaned against her.
Ethan watched.
That was the moment he finally understood.
Ava hadn’t taken Claire’s place.
She had protected it.
She had helped his children remember their mother without being trapped inside their grief.
And somehow, in doing so, she had become part of their family without asking permission.
Later that night, Ethan and Ava sat outside.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
“I think so.”
He took her hand.
“You were incredible.”
She smiled.
“I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“That she’d think I was trying to replace her mother.”
“You didn’t.”
“I know.”
She leaned against him.
“That’s why I love you.”
He kissed her hair.
The house was quiet.
For once, quiet didn’t feel empty.
