Robbie realized he''d just said something he shouldn''t have and let out a small huff. Whatever. Sofia treated him great. Even if Reese wasn''t around, it wouldn''t really change anything for him.


    Following Jane''s cue, Robbie mumbled, "Sorry, my bad." Then he grabbed Jane''s hand and tugged her toward the garden. "Grandma,e on! Dad and Auntie are almost here. I want Auntie to see me first."


    Reese stayed where she was, the night breeze catching the edge of her dress.


    Inside, n led Reese through the crowded ballroom. "Everyone, this is Reese, ckOak''s new star," he announced, pride in his eyes. He''d worked hard to recruit her from Dominic, even trading away some rare tea for the deal.


    Reese nodded politely, her fingers curling unconsciously. She handled the introductions with grace, but kept her guard up.


    A few people recognized her, curiosity flickering in their looks. Reese pretended not to notice, listening to n talk business. Now and then, she chimed in with soft but sharpments that quickly caught everyone''s attention.


    n nced over and noticed how straight she held herself, a little impressed.


    The lights in the hall dimmed, signaling the start of the cake-cutting. Conversations faded as everyone turned to the stage.


    A server wheeled out a three-tiered cake. Sebastian walked up with Robbie in his arms, Sofia right beside them.


    Under the glow of the birthday candles, Reese spotted the chunks of mango on the cake and frowned. Robbie hadn''t listened to her at all.


    Quietly, she slipped out of the crowd and found a maid in the corner. She spoke in a low voice, asking her to find the allergy medicine from the house and give it to Robbie.


    Robbie could ignore her if he wanted, but she was still his mother. She couldn''t just stand by and watch her son put himself at risk. This was thest time she''d step in; she owed him that much after seven years together.


    Robbie made his wish and blew out the candles. Even while Sebastian held him, Robbie wrapped his arms around Sofia''s neck and kissed her on the cheek. He picked up the cake knife, sliced the first piece, and handed it to Sofia.


    Jane''s smile deepened, little wrinkles fanning out from her eyes. Old Mr. Ratcliff sat at the head table, tapping his cane with a sour look, but with so many guests watching, he kept quiet.


    "Isn''t that something? I''ve been to so many of the young master''s birthdays, but this is the first time I''ve seen that woman with him. She must be his real mother, right?"


    "She must be. Why else would he stick to her like that?"


    "I know her. She''s the Meyer family''s daughter from Brookfield. She''s been studying overseas, just got back recently."


    "So she had the boy and then left the country. No wonder she hasn''t been around. Looks like the Ratcliffs are finally making things official."


    Gossip rolled through the room, a constant hum pressing against Reese''s ears.


    She dug her nails into her palm, the pain snapping her out of her daze. Maybe she''d made the right call ending that pregnancy. Sebastian was already parading Sofia around in front of the whole Ratcliff family. As soon as their divorce was final, he''d probably marry Sofia. Their kid would be born into the family, not as some secret, and she just the surrogate-would be out of the picture.


    With so many people there, one cake was never enough. Servers moved through the crowd with extra slices.


    In the middle of it all, a maid slipped over to Robbie and quietly handed him the allergy medicine. "Your mother said you''re allergic to mango. She asked me to remind you not to eat the cake. If you really want some, please take the medicine first."


    Robbie was about to take a bite but stopped when he heard that. He snorted.


    His mom was unbelievable.


    She said she wouldn''te to the party, but here she was, finding excuses. Now she saw him up there with Dad and Auntie, ignored him, and had someone deliver allergy medicine just to show she still cared.


    If he was really allergic, what about all those times he''d eaten mango before?


    He didn''t even look at the maid. "Don''t listen to her. I''m not allergic. She''s just pretending to care."


    "This is Auntie''s homemade cake. Of course I''m eating it."


    He grinned at Sofia, scooped up a huge forkful, and stuffed it in his mouth.