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173. Simple Outing?...

Author: sammie
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-05 23:56:42

~Helen's POV~

I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel as I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching little Ruby and Rhett chatter away in the back seat.

The excitement in the car was a pleasant break from the tension that had been weighing on us all lately.

I could have left them home with Mom or Marcus, maybe even asked them to make a list of what they wanted, but having them with me felt… safer. They’d be in a public place, surrounded by people. Less chance of anything going wrong.

"Make sure they don’t leave your sight." Ruby’s words echoed in my head.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and forced a smile. Everything will be fine.

As we drove to the store, the kids fired off random questions, their curiosity relentless as always.

"Aunt Helen, when is Mom coming back?" Little Ruby asked, her voice soft yet hopeful.

For a moment, I hesitated. I hated lying to them. What am I supposed to say? That we have no idea when their mother will be back? That she’s tangled up in things
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