Chapter 6

Twelve hours before the flight to Orlando.

Clara knelt on the floor of Leo's room, packing sunscreen into his silver Rimowa suitcase.

Leo was bouncing on his toes. His cheeks were flushed pink with excitement.

He was clutching the glossy Disney VIP pass Chadwick had handed him at dinner.

"Three whole days, Mom," Leo whispered, tracing the Mickey Mouse logo. "Just us."

Suddenly, a loud, piercing shriek erupted from the guest bedroom next door.

Something heavy shattered against the wall. Autumn was throwing a massive tantrum.

Clara paused folding a t-shirt. She pressed her lips together and kept packing.

Five minutes later, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Chadwick walked in. He looked incredibly uncomfortable. His eyes kept darting back toward the hallway.

"Hey, buddy," Chadwick said to Leo. He rubbed the back of his neck.

Clara stood up. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"What is it, Chadwick?" she asked.

Chadwick sighed. "Autumn saw the VIP passes. She's devastated. She thinks we're abandoning her."

He looked at Clara with pleading eyes.

"The VIP guide covers up to ten people," Chadwick said quickly. "It wouldn't cost anything extra to just bring Dorcas and Autumn along. It would mean the world to the little girl."

Clara's stomach violently rejected the idea. A wave of pure nausea hit her.

"You promised," Clara said. Her voice was a deadly whisper. "You looked your son in the eye and said it would just be the three of us."

"It's just a theme park, Clara. Don't be so rigid," Chadwick argued.

Leo stopped bouncing.

He looked at his father. Then he looked at the VIP pass in his hands.

Leo threw the pass. It hit the bed with a soft smack.

"You lied!" Leo screamed, his face turning red. "You said it was my trip!"

Chadwick's face hardened. He hated being challenged, especially by his own son.

He opened his mouth to yell.

Right on cue, Dorcas appeared in the doorway.

She was holding Autumn's hand. Her eyes were red and puffy.

"No, Mr. Brewer, please," Dorcas sniffled, pressing a hand to her collarbone. "We won't go. We don't want to upset the young master. We can just watch cartoons here."

Chadwick's posture shifted immediately. He looked at Leo with pure disgust.

"You are incredibly selfish, Leo," Chadwick sneered. "You have no concept of sharing."

Clara stepped forward. She shoved Chadwick hard in the chest.

"Get out," Clara hissed. "If I see either of them on that plane tomorrow, the trip is canceled. And I will take Leo to Paris instead."

Chadwick glared at her. He saw the absolute finality in her eyes.

He gritted his teeth. "Fine."

He turned around, scooped Autumn into his arms, and whispered something soothing into her ear as he walked away.

Dorcas lingered in the doorway for one second.

She looked over Chadwick's shoulder, straight at Clara.

She shot Clara a look that was a chilling mix of faux-apology and venomous triumph before turning away.

Leo grabbed Clara's waist. He was shaking.

"Is he really going to just be with me tomorrow?" Leo asked quietly.

Clara stroked his hair. Her eyes were fixed on the empty doorway.

"We'll see, baby," she whispered.