Chapter 0427

I wanted to say no with every fiber of my being. But when I look at Elva, I noticed she was watching me with doe eyes, taking in my every expression Did she actually want to call Bridget Auntie? Was she simply reading my negative energy, and that was what had been making her uncomfortable?

I tried to remember Elva’s face as she had interacted with Bridget and Nicholas. She had been having fun. Was it genuine? It could have been.

Maybe I was the stick in the mud here. My distrust of Bridget was

hindering my daughter and dictating the people she could grow closer to.

Bridget had given me no real reasons to distrust her. A handful of

confusing things mixed with more feelings than facts. Maybe I was simply being jealous.

If Elva likes Bridget, and Bridget has shown only kindness to Elva, maybe I was the asshole here.

Nicholas began to walk closer. He was in earshot now.

He trusted Bridget with his life with Elva’s life. Since I trusted him, that should make her trustworthy by proxy.

At the end of the day, this was just a title. A nickname. It wasn’t christening Bridget as Elva’s actual aunt. It wasn’t even saying they had to spend all that much more time together.

Again, I looked down to Elva. “Elva, you should do whatever you are comfortable with, okay? If you want to call Bridget Auntie, it’s up to you.”

I loved my daughter with an undying ferocity, but even I did not know the innermost workings of her heart. If she liked Bridget enough to want her to be Auntie, I wouldn’t stand in the way of that. Though I would be watching

hawk–like from a near distance.

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but be protective. Especially with all the dangers we’ve faced, and with all the dangers still out there,

watch me long after I’d finished speaking. I worked hard to keep my face a blank slate, so as not

Bridget asked, voice like cotton candy.”

Bridget instead. Then she frowned.

think about it,”

hid it behind her hand. She wasn’t really a part of the conversation, so she easily passed

As a celebrity, she was likely used to being admired and adored. Who knew the last time

the entirety of my heart, but every day I was surprised when there

You don’t want to make Auntie Bridget sad, do you?” Bridget said. She wore an over–exaggerated frown that rankled all of my nerves at once. Was she trying to manipulate my daughter? “It would make me so happy

placing my hand on Elva’s shoulder, tugged her a

made her decision,” I said..

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her, Piper,” Bridget said, cutting me

she said she needs time to think about it. She should have that,

different expressions, like she couldn’t quite decide which to land

feelings were underneath. She was a good actress, there was no denying that. But maybe she

bright smile, just in time for Nicholas to join

on?” he asked, likely noticing the tension.

half–hiding in

me Auntie,” Bridget

think about it,” I said, filling

looked between us. Then, to Bridget, he said, “Elva isn’t obligated to you, or to anyone, Bridget, except her mother. If she’s not comfortable with

of Bridget’s smile dimmed for a moment, but she quickly cranked it right back up to how high it was before. Higher even, somehow. “Of course, you are right, Nicholas,” she said. “I suppose I did get carried away there.” She

didn’t say

“Oh, I see Nathan waving for me. producer’s work is never done!” She laughed

Was that official? Although whether official or not, the term seemed to fit. Bridget had more or less taken over the entire production. It was kind of her to let Nathan keep his title

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