~A MOTHER’S PANIC~
AMAYA’S POV
The older woman disappeared briefly, returning with a first aid kit in one hand and a small folded towel in the other before placing them on the table.
Then she carefully took Ariel from Ethan’s arms. My body tensed, but the woman offered a gentle smile. It was the kind of smile that reminded me there was still good left on this earth.
“I’ll clean her up and tuck her into bed,” she said in a warm, motherly voice.
For a second, panic rose in me automatically. My body almost moved to take Ariel back.
But Ethan noticed. “It’s okay,” he said quietly. “Maria has been with me for years.”
The woman—Maria, gave me another reassuring smile before carefully taking Ariel from his arms like she weighed something precious. I watched until they disappeared upstairs,
