"Everyone else has their parents here, but my father never shows up. I don't want the other kids to think I don't have a family."

Oliver's words twisted Amy's heart. The thought of him losing his mother so young made her chest ache with sympathy.

The kindergarten had multiple classes. Attending one event wouldn't necessarily mean running into Alexander and Liam.

And even if she did—so what? She just wanted to avoid unpleasant encounters.

Amy gave a soft nod. "Alright."

She deliberately arrived late.

By the time they entered the kindergarten, the parent-child activities were in full swing. The playground buzzed with laughter and cheers.

Oliver, still a child at heart, was immediately drawn to the excitement. He glanced toward the commotion. "Amy, can I go watch for a minute?"

Amy smiled gently. "Go ahead. I'll wait here."

Oliver tilted his head. "Aren’t you coming?"

She shook her head. "I’ll stay."

He hesitated but didn’t push. "Okay, I’ll be right back."

Liam would have reacted differently. If Amy refused him, he’d sulk—a habit he’d inherited straight from Alexander. No tantrums, just that icy silence that cut deeper than words.

Minutes later, Oliver returned, grinning. "Liam’s parents are amazing! They’re winning everything!"

Amy’s breath hitched. "Liam’s parents?"

Oliver’s expression dimmed with envy. "Yeah. He always brags about how his dad is the strongest and his mom is the prettiest. Says they’re the best."

"Some kids didn’t believe him, so he promised to prove it today."

"And he did."

Amy’s fingers curled into her palms.

Oblivious, Oliver chattered on. "Some thought the woman who picks him up was his mom."

"But Liam said she’s just the nanny."

"Now he’s showing off his parents to everyone."

Even though Victoria had told her Liam saw her as nothing more than a nanny, hearing it from Oliver still stole her breath.

No wonder Liam took her for granted. To him, she was just staff—no different from Eleanor.

"Amy, you look pale." Oliver frowned. "Are you sick? Should we go to the doctor?"

She forced a smile, ruffling his hair. "I’m fine. Let’s find your teacher."

Oliver nodded. "Okay."

Leaving him in the music room—where he begged to hear her play later—Amy met with the teacher alone.

But as she stepped out of the office, she froze.

Someone unexpected stood in the hallway.