Chapter 4 - LILY WAS NOT THE ENEMY
For months, I avoided Lily.
Not intentionally cruel.
Just distance.
She was Jenna’s daughter.
And every time I thought about the birthday, I saw the pink cake.
That was unfair.
Lily was six.
She had not planned anything.
She had not asked for a second cake.
In fact, I learned later she had not even known about it.
Jules was the one who made me confront that.
“You keep saying you’re protecting Oliver.”
“I am.”
“You are.”
She nodded.
“But don’t let Jenna turn Lily into the symbol of what happened.”
I hated when my ex-wife was right.
It happened too often.
Three months after the fraud investigation began, Rick asked whether Lily could see Oliver.
Not at Jenna’s house.
Not involving money.
Public park.
I asked Oliver.
His answer surprised me.
“Sure.”
“You want to?”
“She didn’t do anything.”
Exactly.
Children can be more precise than adults.
At the park, Lily ran toward him.
Then stopped.
“I’m sorry about your birthday.”
Oliver looked confused.
“You didn’t bring the cake.”
“No.”
“Then okay.”
Conversation over.
They ran toward the swings.
I stood beside Rick.
He watched them.
Then whispered:
“She cries a lot now.”
My chest tightened.
“Why?”
“Everything at home.”
Jenna and Rick had separated.
Rick moved into a small apartment.
Jenna stayed temporarily with Mom and Dad.
Not because I paid anything.
That distinction mattered.
“Is she safe?”
“Yes.”
“If that changes, tell me.”
Rick looked at me.
“You’d help?”
“Lily?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
His expression softened.
Then I added:
“That does not mean paying Jenna’s bills.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
May you like
For the first time, someone did.
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