The teacher who’d brought Altair over spoke to Selene with a gentle smile. “Altair’s been with us at Charteris Academy the whole time. Lately, he’s done really well in his therapy sessions. When I asked if he wanted to join in some outdoor activities, he agreed.
What surprised me was just how much Altair depends on Ms. Thompson.”
Meanwhile, Daph bounded over and greeted Altair.
Whenever Daph saw him, it was like someone flipped a switch–she’d chatter away, painting vivid pictures of her life just for him.
Today, Altair listened as Daph told him about the annual family day she and Selene would be attending.
This year was different. Daph’s parents had divorced, and only her mom would be
with her for the event.
Still, Daph had invited her uncle–the one who was great in the kitchen–to come along and help out. But she was worried. Her uncle was terrible at understanding the competition rules.
Altair squeezed her hand, hoping he wasn’t too late. With him there, he figured he’d be the brains of the operation.
The teacher watched, visibly surprised. Altair had always shied away from physical contact. Even the therapist who saw him every day couldn’t touch him without him immediately pulling away.
But here he was, holding Daph’s hand.
The teacher beamed. “Ms. Thompson, I’ll leave Altair in your care. I hope he enjoys his afternoon outside.”
Elsewhere, Dames was shaking his head in confusion. “I don’t even know who his
mom is.”
“E I S
He’d just seen Altair and Daph, hand in hand, walking alongside Selene–like a real family.
A strange discomfort twisted in Dames’s chest, as if Altair had stolen the place that should have belonged to him.
Felicity lounged nearby, legs crossed and munching on potato chips. “It’s obvious,” She said, “Altair’s mom must be someone embarrassing. That’s why Dr. Vaughn
Chapter 194
keeps her identity a secret.”
She shot Dames a sly look. “Good thing he can’t talk. If he were a normal kid, he’d be a real threat to your place in the Vaughn family.”
Dames stiffened. No one had ever suggested that Altair could be a threat to him.
“I’m Grandma’s favorite! The Vaughn family’s little prince! Altair’s just a mute!”
Because Altair never spoke, Dames never wanted to play with him. Their relationship was distant, but it bothered him that Daph wanted to hang out with Altair.
Felicity’s eyes glinted with cold satisfaction.
“Dames, you need to face the truth. Selene doesn’t want you anymore. What if your dad finds you a stepmom, and then they have another kid? You won’t be Grandma’s only golden boy. You won’t be the only prince of the Vaughn family.”
Dames shook his head desperately, unable to accept it.
“No way!”
Felicity leaned in, her voice a whisper. “Your mom grew up in the countryside. She didn’t come back to the Thompson family until she was eighteen. There are plenty of high–society ladies with better backgrounds just waiting for your dad to give them a glance. Any one of them could end up your stepmom.
Dames, your mother is a stain you’ll never wash away.”
Dames’s eyes filled with tears.
“So what am I supposed to do?” Suddenly, he blurted, “I’ll tell Dad I don’t want a stepmom!”
“Hey,” Felicity caught his arm. “I’m not like those rich girls. If I became your mom, you’d be my only child.
Dames, I’d treat you like a son, like a brother. You should tell your dad-”
Dames flung himself into Felicity’s arms. “Flick, you have to be my new mom!”
Felicity’s lips curled into a cold, victorious smile.
She patted his back gently. “If I were your mom, I’d never let Altair threaten your place in the family.”
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