AVA’S POV
The boys were more than excited to go to the mall.
Their laughter bounced off the polished tiles as they darted from one shopfront to the next, tugging at my hands, pointing at every bright thing their curious eyes caught. For once, I let myself bask in their joy. Just a mother and her sons, out in the world.
“Mommy, look!” Aiden pressed his nose against the glass of a display case. Rows of miniature race cars gleamed under the lights, shiny red, green, and silver. His eyes sparkled. “They’re so fast! Can we see inside?”
Aaron, quieter as always, tugged on my blouse and pointed at the toy store across the atrium. “And dinosaurs,” he whispered reverently. “Big ones.”
I chuckled, squeezing their hands. “Cars first, dinosaurs next. But only if you stay close.”
“Promise!” Aiden
