Mrs. Anderson practically bounced through the mall, dragging Lucy along with a warmth and enthusiasm that made the young woman smile. This wasn’t just a casual outing. Lucy could sense her intention was more meaningful. Her Auntie wanted to spend time, to get to know her properly, and maybe even guide her. Lucy felt an unusual sense of ease, as if she had found another family member she could genuinely connect with.
The moment they stepped into the first clothing store, Mrs. Anderson’s eyes lit up. “Come here, hija. Pick anything you like. Don’t worry, my treat. And don’t even think about refusing!”
Lucy felt her cheeks heat up. She wasn’t used to such generosity, especially from someone so confident and commanding. Her instinct was to refuse, to carefully weigh the price tags, but she k
