Mark adjusted Arlie in his arms, smiling at her tiny fingers tugging at the collar of his shirt. He was about to set her down when her little voice piped up again.
"Wait, Daddy," she pouted, her arms crossing over her chest. "You didn't kiss me." Oh no, I didn't?" Mark gasped, already leaning forward. She stopped him with a hand on his lips. "Don't. Mommy will be jealous."
The maids behind them stifled laughter while Aurora raised a brow and folded her arms. "Jealous? Of who?" Arlie giggled mischievously. "Of me, because Daddy loves me more."
Mark chuckled and crouched lower. "I love both of you." Well, I still want Mommy to dress me," Arlie declared, wriggling in his arms.Aurora rolled her eyes. "Great. So I do the running, the dressing, and get accused of jealousy. This child…"
Mark kissed Arlie's forehead and handed her over gently. "Don't romance my husband too long," Aurora muttered as she walked off with Arlie clinging to her. Bye Daddy!" Arlie blew him a kiss, then pecked his lips quickly. "Love you!"
Mark watched her with adoration. "Love you too, princess." Aurora carried her up the stairs toward their room. "Heavy little human." Inside their room, Arlie squealed, reaching for her mother's necklace. "Mommy, you're so beautiful."
Aurora smiled, setting her down on the dresser. "Thank you, baby. But you're more beautiful than me."
"Hihi," Arlie giggled and gave her mom a soft peck on the lips. She sat on the dresser like a tiny queen, already reaching for the makeup scattered across its surface. Aurora sighed. "You're making a mess again."
"She's a handful, I swear," she muttered, pressing her phone to her ear. Tiwa's voice came through the line. "What's going on over there?"
"Your niece," Aurora began while brushing Arlie's silky hair, "watches me like a hawk. Every step. She copies the way I sit, the way I walk, even how I raise my brow when I'm annoyed." Tiwa laughed. "Isn't that cute though?"
"It is until I nearly say a curse word and she repeats it like a parrot. I'm always on edge. Do you know I can't even talk to Mark freely without worrying what she'll pick up?" She's your twin," Tiwa teased.
"Tell me about it."
Just then, Arlie reached toward the hot comb.
Aurora's eyes widened. "Eva!" she called quickly, and her personal maid swooped in and grabbed the hot comb before Arlie could touch it.
Arlie wailed, "Wah wah wah!" a piercing sound that echoed through the room. In one swift motion, she hurled her tablet to the floor. The screen cracked with a loud snap. Aurora blinked. "No. You did not just…"
Arlie's cries grew louder when she realized the damage. "Tablet broken!" That's the fifth tablet this month!" Aurora barked. "Mark has spoiled you!" She attempted to stand and escape, but Aurora grabbed her arm gently yet firmly. "No. Sit. Down."
Arlie's bottom hit the chair, her lips trembling. "I will spank that butt if you move," Aurora said sternly. "Now quiet down." Arlie sniffled, her head bowed in shame, while Aurora resumed brushing her hair into a long ponytail that reached her back. She clipped in some pink and gold butterfly ribbons.
"She'll pull all these out before the party ends," Aurora murmured, shaking her head.
Just then, Mark walked in and surveyed the chaos. "What happened?" Your daughter happened," Aurora said dryly. "She smashed her tablet."
Mark walked over slowly, face serious. "Maddie."
Uh-oh. He only called her Maddie when he was upset. "That tablet cost twenty thousand dollars. This is the fifth one." Arlie's eyes welled up again.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you," he said sharply. She looked up with a quivering lip.
Mark," Aurora said gently. "Take it easy…"
"No, Aurora. She's becoming a spoilt brat. She needs to value money. Just because we're rich doesn't mean she should waste everything. Life isn't guaranteed. We could lose it all tomorrow." "Listen to me, Maddie. No more tablets until you learn responsibility."
Then he turned and stormed out, leaving silence in his wake. Arlie stared at the door, then buried her face in her mother's chest. "Daddy," she sobbed. Aurora hugged her tight. "It's okay, baby. I'll talk to Daddy. He's just upset. Mommy's here, okay?"
"I'm sorry, Mommy," she whispered.I know, baby. I know." Aurora rocked her gently, brushing a kiss to her forehead as the ribbons in her hair shimmered softly in the morning light.