Ann tugged on her mother’s hand. “Mommy, this is my friend. His name is Hubert.”

Tatiana looked at the boy, her heart turning to ice. He looked almost exactly like Jasper; anyone could tell he was his son. It felt as if that strange, hidden flicker of hope within her had been ruthlessly crushed, vanishing without a trace.

She looked away, then crouched down to their level, forcing a gentle smile. “Your name is Hubert? Hello. I’m Ann’s mommy. I’m very happy you and Ann can be friends.”

The adults‘ grudges were their own; they had nothing to do with the children. She could keep them separate. Besides, she found it impossible to hate this child. There was a natural sense of closeness that made her want to be kind to him. The feeling was intense, inexplicable, and utterly baseless. She eventually attributed it to him being adorable–looking like Jasper was both a fact and, in a way, a compliment.

Hubert studied the beautiful lady in front of him, feeling an urge to get closer. He stared with his big, watery eyes, unblinking, until Tatiana’s heart softened completely.

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