Adeline’s POV
I came early. I always do when it matters.
I had tied my hair back and dressed plainly, a long coat against the breeze, nothing extravagant. No scarf pulled high, no glasses to shade my eyes. I wasn’t here as Dr. Lean today. I was here as myself—Adeline. And that made every step heavier.
I told myself I felt nothing. It wasn’t true.
I was here for a child. That was all. A child who did not know me, and must not. A child who made my chest ache and my hands steady in the same breath.
“Pretty Aunt!”
Myra’s voice rang down the path, clear and eager, carrying all her joy straight to me. Then she was running, curls bouncing, cloak flapping, bandaged knee forgotten in the rush. She threw herself at me with all her small force. I had to brace a boot against the stones to keep u
