Page 143 of Punishing His Runaway Bride
Jealousy flared like fire, burning up from my gut into my throat, scorching until I could barely speak.
But I didn't explode.
Couldn't. Not now. And I had no right.
I took a deep breath, shoved that fire down, shifted my gaze to the boy.
He peeked out from behind Olivia, voice polite. "Hello, sir."
I looked down at him.
He had Olivia's eyes, but heavier brow bones, a different jawline. He looked up at me without fear, open, like a kid used to sizing up strangers.
Juliet leaned in. "What's your name?"
"Leo," he said. "Leo Adrian."
Adrian.
He had her last name.
The realization slammed into my chest.
"Leo," I repeated. "Good name."
Juliet stood beside me, head tilted, studying Leo.
"You're Leo?" she said. "I'm Juliet!"
"Juliet?" Leo echoed, then looked at Olivia. "Mommy, is she the one you—"
"Leo." Olivia cut him off, voice tight.
Leo shut his mouth.
But I'd heard.
She'd told Leo about Juliet.
"You wanna play?" Juliet pointed at the lawn. "I can teach you how to make flower crowns!"
Leo glanced at Olivia. She nodded.
"Go ahead."
The two kids ran toward the lawn, Juliet leading, Leo following. Juliet ran fast, pigtails bouncing behind her. Leo trailed after, little hand clutching her dress, afraid of losing her.
Their laughter tangled together, echoing across the lawn.
I stood there, watching them.
"They're alike," I said.
Olivia's body tensed.
"I mean," I said, "both energetic."
She didn't respond.
