Adrian noticed and turned his body slightly, shielding Emma from them.
Then a woman’s voice cut through the crowd.
“Emma.”
The girl stiffened.
Adrian saw it immediately.
A woman in a navy cardigan walked toward them, her smile tight and official.
She held a clipboard against her chest.
“Mrs. Keller,” Emma said quietly.
The woman looked at Adrian.
“Mr. Cole, I’m Margaret Keller, director of Hillcrest Children’s Home.”
Adrian stood.
Her handshake was firm, but cold.
“I wasn’t aware Emma had invited a guest.”
Emma lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Mrs. Keller gave her a look that made the apology shrink further.
“She has a habit of acting impulsively.”
Adrian’s expression did not change.
“She asked for support on an important day.”
Mrs. Keller smiled.
“Yes, well, children in Emma’s situation often become attached quickly. It’s important not to encourage unrealistic expectations.”
Emma’s face burned.
Adrian looked down at her.
Then back at Mrs. Keller.
“What expectations?”
“That strangers become family,” Mrs. Keller said.
The words were not cruel enough to be obvious.
That made them worse.
Adrian had spent his life listening to people hide sharp things inside polite sentences.
He knew the sound.
Emma clutched her certificate harder.
“I didn’t mean to bother him,” she said.
“You didn’t,” Adrian replied.
Mrs. Keller’s smile thinned.
“Emma, go wait by the door. The van leaves in ten minutes.”
Emma did not move.
For the first time that morning, she looked as though she wanted to disobey but did not know how.
Adrian saw the battle in her small face.
Safety or dignity.
Obedience or one more minute of being treated like she mattered.
He made his own choice.
“Mrs. Keller,” he said, “I’d like to visit Hillcrest.”
The director blinked.
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“I’m afraid visits require forms, references, background checks—”
“I’m familiar with procedures.”
“I’m sure you are, but—”
“And I’m also familiar with institutions that use procedures to keep people from seeing what they don’t want seen.”
Mrs. Keller’s face hardened.
Emma looked up sharply.
Adrian had not raised his voice.
That made the sentence land even heavier.
The director glanced around, aware now of watching eyes.
“Of course,” she said. “You may call my office Monday.”
