Chapter 25
LIZA
The moment we walked into the elementary school gymnasium I had some serious flashbacks.
Daisie’s school was elite. It catered to all the wealthy families that lived in and around Cloudhaven.
The student body was much smaller, but apparently, gyms looked the same across the board.
Although it was apparent the floor was pristine, the bleachers were all shiny and perfect, and it just had an air of money. Like it was brand new.
Tables were set up all around the room. Some projects required much larger spaces and had actual velvet ropes blocking off the areas.
That was the difference between the elementary school I grew up going to and Daisie’s exclusive private academy.
I smiled at the hand-drawn posters with misspelled words, and of course, there were plenty with professionally printed displays.
The entire space buzzed with the energy of proud kids and anxious parents.
I stood near the entrance with Darek, watching as Daisie practically vibrated with excitement.
“Can I show Liza my project now?” she asked for the third time in as many minutes.
“The judging starts in twenty minutes,” Darek said, checking his watch. “Why don’t you give Liza the tour first, show her everyone’s projects, and then we’ll make sure yours is perfect before the judges come around?”
“Okay!” Daisie grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the first table. “Come on, Liza! You have to see everything!”
I let myself be dragged into the chaos, and honestly, I loved it. I was the proud owner of three blue ribbons from science fairs and two reds. I was a nerd. A geek.
And I hoped all my nerdiness was going to pay off.
Daisie held my hand as she walked me through the entire gymnasium, providing running commentary on each project.
“That’s Emma’s. She did one about which soil makes plants grow best. She used dirt from her backyard and dirt from the park and dirt from a store. The store dirt won.”
“Very scientific,” I said seriously.
“And that’s Andrew’s project about magnets. He made them pick up paperclips. It’s not as cool as mine but don’t tell him I said that.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
We made our way through volcanoes, all three of them, and a project about whether ants preferred sugar or cheese. There was an elaborate display about the water cycle that involved a terrarium and a heat lamp.
I was impressed. And suddenly feeling a lot less smart. These kids were ridiculously intelligent. I didn’t know if I would have won first if I was up against them.
Daisie chattered away, occasionally looking up at me to make sure I was paying attention. She was in her element. I loved that we were kindred spirits.
I never really thought much about being a mother.
My own mother had sucked. There was no other way to put it.
She’d been more interested in her own drama and her various identity crises.
My silly teenage drama did not compare to her adult problems. I raised myself, mostly.
I told myself that was fine. I didn’t need that kind of relationship modeled for me because I wasn’t sure I wanted kids anyway.
My life had become so focused on getting my doctorate that I had put off the idea of motherhood entirely.
It was something I would think about later, if at all.
Maybe when I was established in my career and met the right person.
Maybe never. The future had always felt abstract, something to worry about after I finished my dissertation.
But hanging out with Daisie was awakening something in me I hadn’t expected. Protective feelings, fierce and primal. I barely knew her but I suddenly understood what people meant when they said they were mama bears.
Rawr.
I was feeling pretty damn protective. I would do anything to shelter her from the hard realities of the world that would try to steal that light from her eyes. It was a scary realization. I never thought I could get attached to a child so quickly. Or to a man I had just met, for that matter.
But Darek wasn’t like other guys. Every time I looked at him, my heart swelled.
“And this is mine!” Daisie announced, pulling me to her table with a flourish.
Her project was impressive for a seven-year-old.
Five white carnations in different vases, each flower now tinted a different color—red, blue, yellow, green, and a purple one that she’d achieved by mixing colors.
Her poster board explained the process in careful handwriting with only a few spelling errors, complete with photos she’d taken documenting the flowers’ transformation over several days.
“Daisie, this is incredible,” I said, and I meant it. “You really did amazing work here.”
“Do you think I’ll win?”
“I think you have a great chance. But even if you don’t win, you should be proud of yourself. This is real science, and you did it all on your own.”
“Daddy helped me with the poster board. And you helped me practice explaining it.”
“That’s what we’re here for. But the idea and the execution? That was all you, scientist.”
She beamed at me and I had the sudden realization she had me wrapped around her little finger. I was in so much trouble.
“Well, isn’t this touching.” The voice came from behind me, syrupy sweet with an undercurrent of venom.
I turned to find Sasha approaching with Grant Waverly trailing behind her like an accessory. She looked different than she had at the yacht club. She was dressed in mom-appropriate clothes instead of designer everything. But her expression was pure ice as she looked between Daisie and me.
Daisie moved behind me. Not super noticeable but just enough. She didn’t know Sasha.
Not really.
“Hi, baby.” Sasha’s expression warmed when she looked at her daughter, and for a second, I could almost believe she actually cared. “I heard about the science fair and couldn’t miss it. Can you show me your project?”
Daisie glanced at me, then at her mother, clearly unsure. “Um, okay.”
I started to step back, to give them space, but Sasha’s eyes cut to me. “You can go. Her mother is here.”
Oh, we were doing this. Right here, in an elementary school gymnasium, surrounded by second-graders and science projects.
“I’m here to support Daisie,” I said calmly. “I wasn’t aware her mother knew about her science fair.”
Sasha’s smile tightened. “Well, some of us have busy lives, Liza. Adult responsibilities. You know, things besides tagging along after other people’s children.”
I tilted my head. “Of course. Your schedule must be exhausting. I’ve heard it takes hours to decide which version of yourself to post online.”
Grant choked but looked just a little impressed.
Sasha’s lashes fluttered, probably out of shock, possibly from the weight of all that mascara. “Oh, darling, not everyone can spend their days studying… fish.”
“I know,” I replied. “Some people struggle with anything that swims in deeper water.”
Her smile sharpened. “I guess that explains your love life.”
I grinned. “Funny. Because all I’ve seen is your ex trading up.”
Grant looked like he needed divine intervention.
Sasha straightened Daisie’s project board with one finger. “You’re overstepping.”
“And you’re late,” I said sweetly. “But, hey, better than not showing up at all, right?”
Sasha’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t act like you know anything about me or my daughter.”
“I know she deserves consistency,” I said. “And not just when there’s an audience.”
Daisie seemed oblivious. I hoped it would stay that way.
Sasha leaned in. “If you think you’re replacing me, you’re even more pathetic than I initially thought.”
I smiled, all teeth. “Relax, Sasha. No one could replace you. That level of chaos takes talent.”
Grant made a strangled noise.
Sasha smiled so tightly I thought her face might crack. The Botox prevented her from frowning. The eye lift seemed to make glaring impossible as well.
“How long have you been playing house with my family, exactly?” Sasha asked.
“I’m not playing house. It’s called a stable home. I understand that’s not something you’re familiar with.”
“It must be very convenient, moving into that big, beautiful house, enjoying all the perks of Darek’s wealth. I assume you’re being well compensated for your time?”
The implication was clear, and it made my blood boil. But I kept my voice calm, pleasant even. “I’m in it for the perks. Such amazing perks.”
If I was a man, my comment would be the equivalent of peeing on all the trees on Darek’s property. I was marking my territory.
And she knew it.
I saw the anger and maybe even a hint of jealousy flash through her eyes.
“You think you can just waltz in and replace me? That you can be her mother because you’ve been here for what, a few weeks?”
“I don’t need to replace anyone. The position was wide open. I guess the last person had some kind of… midlife crisis. Bailed. Freaked out. Hard to say.”
I felt Darek. I didn’t have to look behind me to know he was there.
Fuck.
He was probably not going to appreciate me having another catfight with his ex.
“Sasha,” Darek said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m her mother. Of course, I would be here.”
I snorted.
She looked at me with her lips pressed in a thin line. The air between us crackled with hostility.
“The judging is about to start,” Darek said. “Maybe you should check out the competition.”
“The competition doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “That’s not why I’m here.”
“Then why are you here, Sasha?” I asked, unable to help myself. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re here to make a scene and upset your daughter.”
“I don’t need parenting advice from someone who’s being paid to babysit.”
“That’s rich coming from someone who walked away from being a parent entirely.”
Sasha’s face flushed. “You’ve known her for what, a month? And you think you understand my daughter better than I do?”
“I think anyone in this room understands your daughter better than you do. From what I’ve seen, you’re still more concerned with your image than anything that doesn’t directly make you prettier or richer.”
“We should look around,” Grant said.
Sasha sneered at me. “We’ll see how smug you all are next week. The hearing is on Thursday. I hope you’re ready, Darek. I hope you’re ready for Daisie to move in with me.”
“Over my dead body,” Darek said, his voice low and dangerous.
Sasha’s smile was triumphant. “We’ll see what the judge says about that.”
She turned and walked away, Grant following in her wake. I watched them go, my heart pounding, wondering if I had just made everything worse. I couldn’t explain it. That woman got under my skin in a way no one ever had before.
Daisie was looking at me with wide eyes. “Are you and Mommy fighting?”
“No, sweetheart,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just a grown-up conversation. Nothing for you to worry about.”
I wanted to kick myself for engaging with Sasha at all. For letting her bait me into a confrontation in front of Daisie.
Darek put his hand on my shoulder. “You okay?”
“I think I just made things worse.”
“You didn’t. Sasha was looking for a fight. If it wasn’t you, she would have found another target. It would have been me, and honestly, that probably would have been much uglier.”
“But the hearing.”
“We’re going to be fine.” He squeezed my shoulder. “She doesn’t have a case. The evaluation went well, the photo is bullshit, and our lawyers are good. This is just her trying to get under our skin.”
“Well, it’s working.”
“I know. But we can’t let her see that.” He looked down at Daisie, who was still watching us with worried eyes. “Hey, kiddo. The judges are starting their rounds. You ready to blow them away with your awesome science?”
Daisie nodded, some of the worry fading from her face. “Will you both stay with me?”
“Of course,” I said.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Darek added.
I noticed Sasha left. She didn’t even stick around to see how Daisie did.
Bitch.