"Eugénie," Gérard called sharply, his tone clipped.
She turned to him, narrowing her eyes as she studied his expression. "What?" she shot back, mirroring his intensity.
"Give me back my son," he said flatly.
Her brows shot up instantly, and she let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching the baby closer to her chest. "Excuse me? He's been with you for two whole days! I just got here and you're already trying to take him away? Absolutely not. My precious pumpkin is staying right here."
Gérard's glare deepened. "His name is not 'pumpkin.' It's Maurice."
Charlotte couldn't hold back her smile as she watched them go back and forth like children.
Beside her, Odette rose quietly and walked over to Eugénie. She placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder before softly cupping her cheek. Gérard's expression softened immediately.
He understood that look.
He had felt it too.
"If my daughter had lived… she would have been around your age," Odette said, her voice laced with quiet emotion.
