I looked toward Daniel, hoping for some reassurance, but he only glanced at me quickly and then looked away.
The air suddenly felt too thick to breathe. I slipped out quietly, my heels clicking against the marble floor, and pushed open the side doors to the garden.
The night air was cool, but my cheeks were hot with humiliation. I leaned against the stone railing, blinking back tears.
Why? Why had she singled me out? I had done nothing but try to support them.
“Mom?”
I turned. Noah was there, his little tuxedo rumpled from dancing, his brown hair sticking up in the back. His big eyes searched mine.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
I forced a smile. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”
But Noah shook his head. “She was mean to you.”
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to spoil this night for him. But before I could answer, he said something that surprised me.
“I want to say something.”
My stomach dropped. “Noah…”
But he looked at me with calm determination. “Mom, she shouldn’t treat you like that. Uncle Daniel should know.”
There was no stopping him. I saw it in his eyes—the same look his father used to get when he believed in something with his whole heart.
I took a deep breath. “Okay,” I whispered.
