Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

183 Chapter 183

Damien’s POV

“Really?” Riley’s voice came through the phone, surprised. “That’s great! Who are you bringing?”

“I’ll let you know,” I said, already regretting the words. “See you Saturday.”

Thung up before she could ask more questions.

Lily was staring at me with those ocean and forest eyes. Her whole face was lit up with hope.

“Daddy?” Her voice was small. Careful. “Are you going to bring Mama?”

My chest tightened. “Lily-”

“Because I know where she is!” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I can show you! We can go get her and bring her to the party and then

everything will be perfect!”

“Baby, listen to me.” I knelt down so we were eye level. “The woman you saw today wasn’t Mama.”

“But she looked just like her! She had forest eyes and-”

“I know.” I caught her small hands in mine. “I know she looked similar. But it wasn’t her.”

“How do you know?” Her bottom lip trembled. “You didn’t even see her!”

“I just know,” I said quietly.

“Then who are you bringing?” Lily pulled her hands free, her expression shifting from hope to something harder. “Who’s coming with us

if it’s not Mama?”

“A friend. Someone nice who can—”

“I don’t want a friend!” Her voice got louder. Angry. “I want my mama! Why can’t I have my mama like all the other kids?”

“Lily-”

“It’s not fair!” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Grace has a mama. All the kids at daycare have mamas. Why don’t I get one?”

“You have a mama,” I said, my throat tight. “She’s just not here right now.”

“Then where is she?” Lily’s small fists clenched at her sides. “Why did she leave? Doesn’t she love me?”

My heart shattered. “Of course she loves you. She loves you so much—”

why isn’t she HERE?” The words came out as a wail. “If she loved me, she’d be

though she tried to push away. Held her tight

chest.

whispered into her hair. “She

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183 Chapter 183

muffled against my shirt. “I hate them! I just want my

know, baby.

stayed like that for a long time. Me holding her. Her crying.

hiccups. Her small body went limp

said softly. “Let’s

“But the party-”

going to the party. I promise.” I lifted her, carrying her toward the stairs. “With a nice

up the stairs. Her room was exactly as she’d left it–toys scattered everywhere, books piled

wolf she insisted on sleeping

the bed and helped her change into pajamas. The whole time, she didn’t

those sad eyes.

I pulled the covers up to her chin.

found her,” she whispered. “When I saw that lady today.

“I know you did.”

you don’t believe

that I

the wall, clutching that stuffed wolf. “Nobody believes me. Not

“Sweetie-”

Can

than any tantrum could

I said quietly. “Sleep

her forehead and stood

“Daddy?”

I turned back. “Yeah?”

today…” Lily’s voice was barely audible. “She said she had her own kids. A boy and a girl. She said she had children

stuffed wolf tighter. “Do you think… do you think Mama has new kids now? Kids she likes better

made bile rise

firmly. “No, Lily. That’s not–that would never

“How do you know?”

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183 Chapter 183

mama. And she could never love anyone more than she loves you

I said, my voice