New Beginnings

Emily woke up to an empty bed, her heart pounding with sudden panic. Liam was not beside her, and the room was eerily silent. She leapt out of bed, her mind racing with a thousand dreadful possibilities. Had Jason found them? Had Liam wandered off? She couldn’t bear the thought of her fragile little boy being in danger.

She rushed out of the room, her bare feet hitting the cold floor as she made her way down the hallway. As she descended the stairs, the sound of talking and laughter reached her ears, causing her to halt. The now familiar voices mingled with the sweet sound of a child’s giggle. Cautiously, she made her way toward the kitchen, her heart still hammering in her chest.

Peering into the kitchen, she was met with a sight that made her freeze. Catherine was at the stove, making breakfast, while James was entertaining Liam. It took a few seconds for Emily to register that the sound of laughter she had heard was coming from her five-year-old son. Tears immediately sprang to h