Page 111 of A Sinful Gravity

"Because he loves you." She paused. "And he owes you. He knows it."

I looked at her, eyes stinging.

"Luna, I'm not defending him." Chloe squeezed my hand. "I'm thinking about Laila. Let her know she's not some unwanted bastard. She has a dad. Even if that dad was a real asshole before."

My fingers tightened around the cup. "I don't know. I'm not ready."

Chloe moved closer, let me lean on her shoulder. "Take your time. But don't let guilt crush you. You're strong enough already. No rush to decide. I'll always support you."

I leaned against her, nodded slowly.

Leaving the café, it was getting dark.

Streetlights flickered on, one by one, stretching into the distance.

Traffic was backed up. I gripped the steering wheel, watching the line of red taillights ahead, thoughts churning.

Half an hour later, I parked and pushed open the door. The entryway light glowed warm yellow.

Laila heard the door, screamed, and charged out from the living room, slamming into my legs.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look!" She waved two shiny tickets, eyes bright as stars. "Taylor concert! Cassian got them! He actually got them!"

I'd mentioned it once in passing. Laila's recent obsession with that singer. In Washington, these tickets were impossible to find, let alone front-row seats.

Cassian came out from the living room, hands in his pockets, wearing that careful look of someone seeking approval. But when he saw me, it shifted to something sheepish.

"Um... Luna." He cleared his throat, eyes dodging mine. "I pulled some strings, but it was too late. The seller only had two seats left together."

He looked at Laila with regret, then at me. "Tomorrow's show. I thought... you should take Laila. You girls would enjoy this more. I won't tag along."

Laila's smile faltered. She looked down at the tickets, then up at Cassian, obvious disappointment clouding her excitement.

"You're not coming?" she asked quietly, fingers gripping the ticket corners. "I wanted you to sing with me."

Seeing that light dim in Laila's eyes, something stabbed my chest.

I knew that disappointment too well. How many times as a kid had I held ballet tickets, only to watch Mother's busy back walk away.

I stared at Cassian as he awkwardly comforted Laila, promising the best popcorn and prettiest light sticks.

Laila's little face showed disappointment, but she didn't cry. Just nodded quietly.

That quietness broke my heart. She was always like this—too understanding. Same in London. Never complained. Never threw tantrums. Always good.

I walked over, crouched down to her level.

"Baby, Mommy has a really important rehearsal tomorrow." I kept my voice soft. "I might not be able to go."

Her eyes dimmed instantly. "Then... then the concert..."

"Let Cassian take you, okay?"

She froze, then turned to Cassian. Her eyes lit up.

Cassian stood there stunned, like someone who'd just won the lottery, fumbling, even his breathing quickening.

"Me? I take her?" He pointed at himself, voice shaking. "Luna, this... I've never taken a kid out alone."