Chapter 105
Seeing the smile on Elodie’s face, Harry’s eyes darkened.
There was something about that expression that was soft, unguarded, and genuine on her face that made his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t quite name. It was the kind of smile that didn’t belong on someone who carried shadows in their eyes the way she did. He’d seen those shadows before, lingering just beneath the surface whenever she thought no one was looking. But right now, with the afternoon sun catching the edges of her hair and Daisy’s laughter filling the air between them, those shadows had retreated.
And Harry found himself wanting to keep them at bay for as long as possible.
Elodie noticed his gaze and, unsure of what to make of it, asked, “What’s wrong p>
Her voice pulled him back. He blinked, realizing he’d been staring.
“Nothing p>
The word came out rougher than he intended, but Elodie didn’t press. She simply turned back to Daisy, who was tugging on her hand, chattering excitedly about the kite they’d just launched. Harry watched them walk a bit farther along the lakeside path, the little girl’s ponytail bouncing with each enthusiastic step she took, Elodie’s posture relaxed in a way he suspected was rare for her.
He stayed nearby, keeping a respectful distance but close enough to intervene if needed. Not that he thought he’d have to, because Elodie moved with a quiet competence that suggested she was used to handling things on her own. Still, he didn’t leave. Couldn’t, really. Something about the scene held him there, watching without interfering.
After tiring of flying the kite, Elodie and Daisy gravitated toward the lake’s edge. They settled onto the wooden dock, their legs dangling over the side, fishing rods in hand.
Later, they crouched by one of the vendor’s small water pools, nets in hand, trying to catch the tiny fish darting between the rocks. Daisy squealed every time one slipped through her fingers. Elodie laughed, actually laughed and the sound was so unexpected, so unrestrained, that Harry felt something shift in his chest. He committed the sound to memory without quite understanding why.
Soon, it was noon.
Harry had originally just planned to take Daisy out for a walk. Unlike other families who came prepared with picnic baskets and blankets, they’d brought nothing. Now that it was mealtime and Daisy’s stomach was starting to rumble audibly, Harry suggested they eat at a small restaurant nearby.
Elodie had relaxed over the past couple of hours, her shoulders no longer carrying the rigid tension he’d noticed when they’d first arrived. Her mood was lighter, more open. She didn’t refuse his suggestion, just nodded and helped Daisy gather her things.
The restaurant was modest but clean, tucked into a corner of the park with outdoor seating that overlooked the water. They settled at a table beneath a faded umbrella, Daisy immediately claiming the seat next to Elodie.
At lunch, Elodie mostly chatted with Daisy.
She leaned in when the girl spoke, giving her full attention in a way that made Daisy’s face light up. They talked about everything and nothing, about the butterflies they’d seen, which flavor of ice cream was best, whether fish could see color. Elodie’s responses were thoughtful, never condescending, treating Daisy’s observations with genuine interest.
Harry watched them, something warm and unfamiliar settling in his chest. Seeing how well they got along stirred memories of Daisy’s earlier loneliness, how she’d struggled to connect with people after everything she’d been through. But with Elodie, it was effortless.
He didn’t push to join their conversation. Instead, he quietly moved the dishes they seemed to favor closer to them, the grilled vegetables Daisy kept reaching for, the soup Elodie had unconsciously touched twice but hadn’t served herself yet.
While Elodie was absorbed in explaining something to Daisy, she didn’t notice his small adjustments. Or if she did, she gave no indication, too focused on making the little girl smile.
After a while, Harry’s phone rang.
The vibration cut through the comfortable atmosphere. He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Levi, and felt a flicker of irritation at the interruption. Still, he stood, turning to Elodie with an apologetic expression.
“I’ll take this call p>
“Okay.” She barely looked up, already turning back to Daisy.
Harry walked several paces away, far enough that his voice wouldn’t carry back to their table, before answering.
“What’s up p>
“Where are you now?” Levi’s voice was enthusiastic in that way that usually meant he wanted something. “Have you eaten? My friend just sent me some fresh seafood. Want to come over and have some? Dante and the others will be here too p>
At the mention of Dante’s name, something cold slid down Harry’s spine. He glanced back at Elodie, who was laughing at something Daisy had said, completely unaware of the conversation happening several feet away.
His jaw tightened.
“We’ve already eaten,” he said, “Maybe next time p>
“Alright, then do you have any plans for tonight?” Levi pressed on. “There’s a cruise party tonight. Dante and the others have confirmed they’re coming. You can bring your little niece along. We haven’t really met her, so this would be a good chance to introduce her to us p>
Harry’s grip on the phone tightened. The last thing he wanted was to subject Daisy or Elodie, if she happened to still be around to an evening with Dante Bellini and his crowd.
“She’s shy,” Harry said. “There’ll be too many people on the cruise. I’m afraid she won’t be comfortable p>
“No worries, Isabella will be there too.” Levi’s tone suggested he thought he’d solved the problem. “They’re about the same age, they’ll probably play together p>
Before Harry could formulate another refusal, Levi added, “Seven o’clock. Don’t forget p>
The line went dead.
Harry stared at his phone for a long moment, jaw clenched, before finally pocketing it. When he returned to the table, Elodie glanced up briefly, a silent question in her eyes, but he just shook his head slightly and reclaimed his seat.
They stayed there a while longer.
After lunch, Elodie and Daisy chased butterflies through the meadow adjacent to the lake.
Later, they rented bicycles and rode along the paved path that wound around the water. Daisy wobbled occasionally, but Elodie stayed close, one hand hovering near the handlebars, ready to steady her if needed but never actually grabbing on unless necessary.
They continued until they were both tired. Only then did they stop.
By the time they returned to the parking area, Daisy’s steps had slowed. Her eyelids were drooping, and she leaned heavily against Elodie’s side.
“Someone’s exhausted,” Elodie murmured, smoothing back the girl’s hair with a tenderness that made Harry’s throat tighten.
Daisy managed a small nod before her eyes slipped closed completely. Within minutes, she’d fallen asleep, her small body going limp.
Elodie adjusted her hold carefully, making sure Daisy was comfortable, before looking up at Harry.
“I should head home,” Elodie said quietly, mindful of Daisy’s sleep. Her voice carried a note of reluctance that she probably didn’t intend him to hear, but he caught it anyway.
Harry helped her get Daisy settled, though the girl barely stirred. When everything was arranged, Elodie paused, one hand on the open car door, and met his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said simply. “For today. I She trailed off, seeming to struggle with words before settling on, “I needed this p>
Harry nodded, something unspoken lodging in his chest. “Anytime p>
He watched her car pull away, the taillights growing smaller until they disappeared around a bend in the road. Even after she’d gone, he stood there for a long moment, hands in his pockets, staring at the empty space where her car had been.
After a short while, he also left.
Some time later, Daisy woke up.
She blinked slowly, taking in her surroundings with the confusion of someone who’d fallen asleep in one place and woken in another. Her small brows furrowed as she looked around, searching.
“Where’s Auntie?” Her voice was small, disappointed in a way that tugged at Harry’s heart.
“She went home p>
Daisy’s face fell, her lower lip pushing out slightly. “Oh p>
She was quiet for the rest of the drive, staring out the window with an expression far too melancholy for someone so young. Harry glanced at her several times, wanting to say something comforting but unable to find the right words.
At 7 p.m., Harry boarded the yacht on time.
The vessel was impressive. Already, music drifted from the upper deck, and the murmur of conversation suggested there was a decent-sized crowd had already gathered.
Dante and the others had already arrived.
Harry spotted them almost immediately, a cluster of well-dressed figures holding crystal glasses, their laughter moving across the deck. Dante stood at the center, as he always did, commanding attention without seeming to try. Even from a distance, Harry could read the easy confidence in his posture, the way people orbited around him like he was the sun and they were merely planets.
Seeing him, Levi waved his hand, gesturing Harry over with an enthusiasm that felt exhausting.
Harry took a breath, schooled his features into neutrality, and headed toward the group.