New Understandings

A few days had passed since Delphinia met Cedric for lunch. She hadn't mentioned their conversation to Evander—not because she was afraid of him knowing, but because she didn't want to be the one to drive a wedge between him and his best friend. Evander and Cedric had been close for years, and she wasn't the type to tattle just because someone had rubbed her the wrong way. Besides, she wanted to see what Cedric would do next. If he had already formed an opinion about her, she doubted a single conversation would change it. But if he continued interfering, then she would decide how to handle it.

That afternoon, Delphinia arrived at Ashton's school to pick him up, just like always. The moment he spotted her, his little face lit up, and he ran straight into her arms. She caught him easily, pressing a kiss to his hair before setting him down and grabbing his small backpack.

And, just like always, Lydia was there too.