Chapter 374

Madison

I poured myself a cup. “That was years ago. People change.”

“Some things don’t change,” Hazel countered. “Especially not Alexander’s determination to get what he wants.”

“I’m not what he wants,” I said firmly. “I never was.”

Before Hazel could argue, Ethan raced into the kitchen with his backpack. “Ready!”

“Let me grab my keys.” I set down my mug and headed to the entryway.

The drive to preschool was filled with Ethan’s chatter about volcanoes, dinosaurs, and his friend Adriel, who could already count to one hundred.

“That’s very impressive,” I said, pulling into the preschool parking lot.

“I can count to fifty-seven,” Ethan announced proudly.

“What happens after fifty-seven?”

“Um.” He paused. “Fifty-eight?”

“Exactly right.” I unbuckled him and walked him to the door, where his teacher, Miss Daisy, greeted us.

“Ready for volcano day?” she asked Ethan.

“So ready!” He hugged my legs briefly be