ner. She settled the boys, pulling out a water bo

. Max, a bundle of kinetic energy, craned his neck, captivated by the celestial mural on the

the intense focus in Leo's eyes, the restless energy in

the potty," Julian s

older sons. "You two wait right h

tablet from his backpack. Max gave a solemn nod, his eyes

s hand and started

lothes swept through the area, flanked by an entourage. Isabel Knox, a socialite whose

ble floor. People moved out of her path. The bench where L

or?" Isabel snapped. "I can't be seen wa

d at their simple clothes. "Country bumpkins,"

rowed, but he

toe of her expensive shoe connected sharply wit

his small face crumpling a

kup, looked down at the crying boy with undisguised contempt.

. He glared up at Isabel, his blue eyes fl

ered. "Didn't your mother teach you t

match. Max's face flushed a deep red,

"Look at you, all dirty and pathetic. You're pro

was

started crying from the commotion, was focused on soothing her youngest

ll Big Brother, w

Max sobbed, pointing at

s pants and took a

fair little legs. It was a bright

s small fists,

like this? Does Max h

will blow on it for you. Once it'

eluctantly,

as steady, unnaturally calm for a child his age. "Ugly woman, who ga

y w

hrill, ugly sound. "Apologize? To you? Don't b

em, she had to act friendly in front of him. She had no time to deal with that