Chapter 45

It was coffee break and I was occupied by my usual group of ladies, but today, we had a new lady in our midst—Kayla brought along her daughter; Hazel. She was the sweetest, most adorable little girl I’d ever met. She was well-mannered and social for her age.

She took a liking to me, clinging to my side.

“Children like good people,” Kayla said, her eyes tingling as she watched Hazel sit in my lap. Her eyes held mine as she clutched her lunch bag, her innocence melting hearts.

“Gosh, she’s so adorable. Can I keep her with me for the whole day?”

“You might have to ask her permission.”

I leaned in to close, my fingers brushing Hazel’s soft skin. “What do you say, Hazel? Want to ditch mommy and hang out with me?”

She nodded without hesitation and I grinned at Kayla.

“It seems she had made up her mind.”

As break ended, Hazel’s tiny hand held mine as we headed back to the office. I was about to walk into my office but was stopped by a familiar figure from the corner of my eye.

Even with his