tree, and climbed onto the couch beside me as her favorite cartoon started to play.
And then my phone buzzed.
A message.
Come to the Valez mansion. I’ve prepared a surprise for Elly.
My stomach twisted. The Valez mansion? Sally had made it clear I wasn’t welcome—not now, not ever. She wouldn’t even let Elly be acknowledged as part of their family. Why the sudden invitation?
Maybe Archie had spoken to her. Maybe—just maybe—he was trying to make things right for once.
It was Elly’s last Christmas with him. I couldn’t let suspicion ruin what could be a happy memory for her.
So I turned to my daughter and smiled. “Guess who just texted, sweetheart? Mr. Valez wants us to come over—he has a big surprise waiting for you!”
Elly gasped. “Really? Yay! I’m so happy!” She ran toward the hallway. “Wait—I want to bring the present I made! I’ve been working on it forever!”
…
When we arrived, the entire Valez estate glowed.
The gate was draped in white roses and evergreen garlands. The long drive sparkled with string lights. A red carpet stretched from the gate all the way to the front doors.
It didn’t look like a child’s Christmas surprise.
It looked like something else entirely.
Still, I told myself Archie must’ve prepared something inside for Elly. Something sweet. Private. Maybe this was just… theatrics.
Elly didn’t care. She tugged my hand, pulling me forward with all the excitement a five-year-old could muster.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was wrong—too polished, too adult, too cold.
And in the middle of it all stood Archie, dressed in a tailored suit, shaking hands and greeting guests.
Guests? Was this… a party?
