Victoria felt a tug at her heart.


    She''d always known Max''s story was a sad one. He was just five-so young to have lost both parents. That soft, vulnerable ce inside her felt as if it had been pricked.


    "I don''t have anything urgentter. I can go with you."


    She asked Marcus which preschool Max attended. When Marcus told her, surprise flickered in Victoria''s eyes.


    Gwyn went to that school, too. Both children were actually ssmates.


    Marcus noticed the surprise. "Something wrong?"


    Victoria shook her head lightly. "No, I just realized a friend''s child goes there as well."


    She had no intention of telling Marcus about Gwh. They weren''t close, and it wasn''t his business.


    Marcus nodded. "I have a friend whose daughter goes there-her name''s Gwh."


    Victoria''s gaze lingered on him for a moment. It seemed Marcus had made the same connection.


    She picked up her ss and took a steady sip of water, hiding her reaction with a casual, "Oh?"


    Marcus continued, "I don''t know why, but Max has always been a sweet, easygoing kid. Lately, though, he''s been butting heads with my friend''s daughter."


    He seemed to treat Victoria as a confidante now, chatting as if they were old friends. The thought of McNeil''s daughter made Marcus sigh inwardly.


    That girl used to be so polite and gentle, always greeting the adults sweetly with her charming little smile.


    But somewhere along the way, Gwh had grown distant, her attitude turning aloof even with the grown-ups-except, oddly enough, she adored being around Violet.


    Marcus didn''t care to meddle in the McNeil family''s affairs. He just told Max to keep his distance from Gwh and, if possible, avoid her altogether.


    That child was bing more and more unruly. Who knew what kind of influence McNeil''s new partner had on her? It was no wonder, Marcus thought, that once Violet came back, McNeil and Violet had grown so close again. Perhaps this time, things would actually work out for them.


    "Oh? The kids had a falling out?"


    Victoria frowned. She hadn''t been able to spend much time with her daughtertely, but she never imagined Gwh would be shing with her peers. That wasn''t like her at all.


    "It''s over some racing game. They both got obsessed with it for a while. Gwh was better at first, and Max, being a boy, couldn''t stand losing to a girl. Then Max met you—after you taught him how to y, he finally beat her. Now, every time they see each other, it''s fireworks."


    Marcus swirled his water ss, shaking his head but smiling slightly.


    He''d noticed Victoria''s eyes always brightened at the mention of children— especially Max. She seemed far more engaged talking about the boy than anything else.


    Marcus suddenly thought, if he ever tried to pursue Victoria, Max might actually be his best ally.


    "Is that so?"


    Victoria''s brow furrowed even more deeply. So she was the reason Gwh started picking on Max-because she''d taught him how to win.


    Marcus nced at his watch. "Come on, let''s go pick up Max."


    Victoria didn''t hesitate. She''d already nned to have lunch with Marcus after picking up Gwh.


    In the afternoons, the driver took Gwh to school, and McNeil had asked Victoria toe home in the evening to discuss something. There was no need for her to pick Gwh up after school as well.


    McNeil and Violet were inseparable these days. It was obvious neither of them would show up for Gwh at dismissal.


    Victoria figured there was no point in interfering. Besides, Gwh had thrown a fit at lunch. If she showed up again after school, Gwh would probably just get upset all over again. Right now, it was better for everyone if she kept a little distance from the father and daughter.


    She would go with Marcus to pick up Max instead.


    "Alright, I''ll go with you. He''s going to love his present."