Amy immediately pointed to the TV and said, “Daddy!”
Everyone turned to look at the screen, but the broadcast had already shifted. There was no trace of Monbatten anymore.
Amy scanned the TV anxiously, flipping channels with the remote. After a few moments, she plopped onto the floor in disappointment.
Keira walked over and scooped her up. “Missing Daddy?”
“Daddy!” Amy replied with a firm nod.
At just three years old, Amy had been through so much. Howard and his mother had mistreated her horribly, leaving her timid and withdrawn. Only recently, after living in a loving home with Keira and Lewis, had she started to blossom.
Even so, she often struggled to express herself.
Now, clutching the remote tightly, she jabbed a finger toward the TV in frustration. “Daddy!”
The screen switched to a news anchor, and Keira couldn't help but chuckle.
“Do you think he's handsome? Is that why you're calling him Daddy?”
“No!” Amy protested, her little face scrunched in frustration.
“Not him! Daddy is in the TV!”
Keira brushed a hand over Amy's hair. “Alright, sweetie. Next time you see him, point him out to me, okay?”
Amy sighed, defeated. “Okay.”
Then she turned to Keira, her voice quiet but sure. “Mommy, you told me Daddy is in the TV.”
Keira froze.
Erin approached, raising an eyebrow. “Was it something your sister told her? Could she be fangirling over some actor? You know, like those women who call celebrities their husbands and get their kids to join in?”
Jenkins rolled his eyes. “Not everything's a reality show, Erin.”
Erin crossed her arms. “Then what do you think it is?”
Jenkins paused, considering. “Maybe her husband was so cruel that your sister made up a better story—said her dad was someone else.”
Keira nodded thoughtfully. “That does make sense.”
The three of them lingered in silence around Amy until she let out a soft yawn. Keira carried her into the bedroom and tucked her into bed.
“Alright.”
As Amy's eyes drooped, Keira hummed a soft lullaby. Watching the little girl relax, Keira couldn't help but feel her heart ache.
Amy reminded her so much of herself at that age.
At three, Keira's life had been even harsher.
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