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We finally settled on a private academy near our house.
It had excellent security and a strong focus on parent-child activities.
As we were leaving after signing the papers, the headmistress stopped us.
"Ms. Reed, the child's father is on his way. There's actually a school event starting now, if you'd like to join."
Liam? I frowned. Before I could refuse, a familiar voice cut in.
"The activities here are a lot of fun, Sophia. Want to give it a try?"
Standing in the doorway was Alexander Prescott.
He saw my stunned expression and waved a hand in front of my face.
"What, you don't recognize your daughter's father?"
It turned out there had been a mix-up with the school records, and his information had been entered as Sophia's father.
I apologized, but he just waved it off.
"Don't worry about it. It's not like I have anything better to do."
I glanced at his phone, which had buzzed ten times in the last three minutes, but didn't call him on it.
The event was a parent-child sports day.
Sophia chose the three-legged race and the relay.
She spent the afternoon shrieking with laughter, the shadows of the past few weeks finally lifting from her face.
During a break, I sent my mother Alexander's name and photo.
She replied almost immediately with a laughing emoji.
That's Alexander Prescott! He used to steal your toys when you were kids. Don't you remember?
It all clicked into place.
I had grown up in San Francisco, only moving to New York after elementary school.
I vaguely remembered seeing him a few years ago at my grandfather's funeral.
After the event, I took Sophia home.
As we approached our house, her face suddenly fell. I followed her gaze.
Standing at our front gate, silhouetted against the setting sun, was Liam.
