Finn’s POV
The board eting dragged on.
Numbers. Charts. Projections. My CFO droned about quarterly earnings while I ntally counted the minutes until I could leave.
Then my phone buzzed.
My first instinct was to ignore it. Probably Aria. Ha. Finally crawling back to beg for forgiveness? Let her wait. Let her suffer. She’d learn her lesson soon enough.
But the caller ID made my blood run cold.
Lilith’s Kindergarten.
I stood up imdiately. "We’re taking a break."
The executives exchanged confused glances. I didn’t care. I was already walking toward the hallway.
"Is this Lilith Nightfang’s guardian?" A woman’s voice. Professional. Clipped.
"Speaking."
"Sir, the Family Fun Day started thirty minutes ago. We’ve been waiting for you." A pause. Judgnt dripping from every word. "I understand busy parents might not prioritize these events, but your daughter is currently the only child sitting alone in the corner."
My chest tightened.
I’d sent Aria that ssage. Told her exactly where to be and when. I assud she’d handle it. She always handled everything involving Lilith.
The possibility that she simply... wouldn’t show up?
That had never crossed my mind.
"I’m on my way." I hung up. Turned to my assistant. "Cancel everything else today."
---
The drive to the kindergarten took twenty minutes. Twenty agonizing minutes of imagining Lilith sitting alone while every other child had their parents beside them.
When I arrived, the scene was exactly as I’d feared.
Children everywhere. Running. Laughing. Playing gas with their mothers and fathers. Bright decorations. Cheerful music.
And there—in the far corner—was Lilith.
My daughter sat on a tiny plastic chair. Alone. Her little legs dangled off the edge, feet barely touching the ground. Her eyes were fixed on the floor.
Sothing sharp twisted in my gut.
I walked over. Crouched down in front of her.
"Lilith."
She looked up. Those silver eyes—totally Aria’s eyes—were red-rimd. Like she’d been crying but stopped because no one ca to comfort her.
"Daddy." Her voice was small. Hollow.
"I’m here now." I pulled her into my arms. "Daddy’s here."
She didn’t hug back. Just sat there, limp. Defeated.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. I participated in every activity. Made balloon animals. Painted terrible pictures. Pretended to enjoy terrible snacks. I smiled and laughed and played the role of devoted father.
But Lilith remained quiet. Distant. Like sothing inside her had broken.
---
By four-thirty, the event ended.
I held her hand as we walked to the parking lot. Helped her into the backseat. Slid in beside her instead of sitting up front.
Her small face was downcast. Troubled.
"How are you feeling, baby?" I asked gently.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Where was Mommy?" Her voice cracked. "I told her to co early. Everyone had their mommy with them. Only I just had Daddy."
She wiped her eyes with her tiny fists.
"If Miss Celestia wasn’t performing, I wouldn’t even want Mommy to co." She sniffled. "But she didn’t co anyway."
I squeezed her hand. "This was Daddy’s fault. It won’t happen again."
But Lilith’s mood didn’t improve. She just stared at her shoes. Silent. Hurting.
I was about to say sothing else when my phone rang.
Mother.
I answered. "What is it?"
"Your grandfather’s birthday is tomorrow." Irene’s voice was crisp. Direct. As always. "We’re hosting dinner for the elders and family friends tonight at the estate. Bring Lilith. I’ll et you there."
I paused. Right. Grandfather Brain’s birthday. How had I forgotten?
"Understood." I hung up.
Turning back to Lilith, I brushed hair from her face. Her expression was still troubled. Still confused.
"Baby," I said softly. "Great-grandfather’s birthday is tomorrow. Mommy didn’t co today because she’s been at the Nightfang estate preparing everything. You know how she always cooks those big feasts for occasions like this."
Lilith considered this. Her brow furrowed as she processed.
Then her expression cleared slightly. She lifted her chin.
"Hmm. That makes sense."
I couldn’t help but chuckle. "Next ti there’s an event like this, I’ll bring Miss Celestia to co with you."
The transformation was instant.
Lilith’s entire face changed. Pure joy flooded her features. All the disappointnt from earlier vanished like smoke.
"Really?" She bounced in her seat. "Promise?"
"Promise."
She threw her little arms around my neck. Hugged tight.
I stroked her hair. "Ready to go to the estate?"
Her smile dimd slightly. "Will Mommy be there?"
"Probably."
"Can I not talk to her when I see her?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I’m still mad at her. I don’t want to talk to her unless she apologizes to Miss Celestia."
I buckled her seatbelt. "That’s fine, baby."
---
We picked up Irene at five-thirty.
The entire drive to the Nightfang estate, Irene was on her phone. Confirming guests. Checking RSVPs. Making sure everything was perfect for tomorrow’s celebration.
"The Thornwoods confird. So did the Blackwells." She scrolled through her ssages. "Twenty-three guests total. Aria better have everything ready."
I said nothing. Just drove.
The estate appeared ahead. Massive iron gates. Long driveway lined with ancient oaks. The main house rose like a monunt to old money and older traditions.
But sothing was wrong.
As we approached, I noticed the windows.
Dark. Every single one.
No lights. No warm glow from the kitchen. Nothing.
I parked in front of the main entrance. Got out. Helped Lilith down.
Irene was already marching toward the front door.
"Why is it so dark?" Lilith whispered, clutching my hand.
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
We walked inside.
Darkness swallowed us.
I hit the light switch. The chandelier flickered to life, illuminating the grand foyer.
Empty.
The living room beyond—empty.
The dining room—completely dark. No table settings. No decorations. Nothing.
Irene’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she stalked toward the kitchen. I followed, Lilith still gripping my hand.
The kitchen was silent.
No pots on the stove. No ingredients on the counters. No sll of food cooking. No sign that anyone had been here at all.
Irene stood in the doorway. Frozen.
"What..." She spun around. Her eyes were wide with disbelief. "What is this?"
I had no answer.
Ever since Aria beca my mate, she’d never needed reminding about this annual tradition. Every year, without fail, she handled everything. The nu. The decorations. The seating arrangents. The entire production.
Perfect. Flawless. Invisible.
I’d taken it for granted. Of course I had. That’s what wives were for.
But now—
Irene’s face twisted with rage. "Is Aria insane? Did she completely forget what day it is?"
She yanked out her phone. Dialed.
The call went straight to a dead tone.
She tried again. Sa result. Again. And again.
"The number you are trying to reach is not available."
Her hand shook. Then she hurled the phone at the wall.
It shattered into pieces. Scattered across the pristine kitchen floor.
"I told everyone we’re hosting here tonight!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "TONIGHT! The elders are coming! Father’s friends are coming! What am I supposed to tell them now?"
Lilith flinched. Pressed closer to my leg.
Irene paced the kitchen like a caged animal. "That ungrateful girl. That useless, worthless, Shadow Moon trash. She seems to have forgotten what it ans to be a Nightfang wife. Zero responsibility! ZERO!"
A small voice interrupted.
"Daddy?"
I looked down.
Lilith stood beside . Her little face was pale. Scared. She tugged at my sleeve. I crouched down to her level.
"What is it, baby?"
She leaned close. Whispered in my ear.
"Mommy did this on purpose."
I pulled back. "What?"
"She didn’t cook on purpose. She didn’t co to my activity on purpose. She wants to be embarrassed in front of everyone."
"She’s not a good mommy." Her silver eyes—Aria’s eyes—looked up at without warmth. Without love. "Miss Celestia would never hurt my feelings like this."
She paused. Her small hands clenched into fists.
"I don’t want Mommy anymore."
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