The following morning, Ares and Lara left the manor before sunrise, bringing Shay with them.
The little girl sat between them in the backseat, clutching her stuffed rabbit that Asher gifted her, while sleepily staring out the car window. Every now and then, she would excitedly point at something outside, making Lara smile softly.
Ares watched the interaction quietly.
For someone who had once believed children were troublesome, he found himself unexpectedly patient with Shay.
More than that… he was protective.
Since Shay disliked Sunshine Academy, Ares decided to personally find a school where she would feel safe and happy. He refused to entrust something this important to anyone else, not even Shay's biological parents.
They visited several prestigious academies that morning, each more expensive and exclusive than the last.
But Shay hated all of them.
One school felt "too cold."
Another had "scary teachers."
