On the drive home, Chloe sat quietly, saying nothing.
I worried that what she saw at the hospital left a mark on her, so I carefully said, “Chloe, what are you thinking about? You can tell me anything.”
Chloe tilted her head and slowly said, “Mommy, I was just thinking that your name is really beautiful.”
I was caught off guard. Of all the things, this was what she was thinking about? I couldn’t help but laugh. “You think so? I always thought my name was too plain and ordinary. I even cried about it when I was little.” Chloe shook her head and swayed slightly, reciting in her soft, childlike voice, “Lily reminds me of the flowers and colors of spring.” She sighed dreamily. “Mommy, it evokes such a beautiful picture!”
I was momentarily stunned.
A memory flashed through my mind from a long–ago scene
+25 BONUS
Chapter 20
Aiden was sitting in a bright, elegantly decorated study. I landed him a steaming cup of herbal tea and casually glanced at a report on his desk. I laughed and teased him.
“Aiden Spencer, Skyla Thompson. Your names go surprisingly well together. Just looking at them, I can already picture some kind of dramatic, tragic story.”
He lowered his eyes, putting the report away. In a warning tone, he said, “She’s an unmarried colleague. Don’t joke about that.”
The car sped down the open road. Outside the window, the sun was shining. It was spring; flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, bursting with life.
I laughed. “You’re right. My name really is beautiful.”
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