Deirdre froze before jeering, “Aww, I feel so bad for you, Mr. Brighthall. Spending quality time with Charlene must have exhausted you, but duty compelled you to carry on pretending to be a good father by escorting me to this insignificant check-up!”

Brendan stiffened. His lips parted as though he wanted to say something before giving up. “I’ll carry you into the car.”

“Oh, no need to trouble yourself with me.” Deirdre pulled the coat over herself, her hostility palpable, and made her way slow