Zara hugged Lilly tightly when they reached the apartment, she was still in her school uniform, her small arms wrapped around Zara’s neck.
“Mommy, where have you been?” she cried softly.
Zara gently stroked her hair. “Oh, dear… I went to buy some clothes,” she said, repeating the lie they had prepared earlier.
She lifted the shopping bag and pulled out the clothes they had bought on their way home.
Victor, Marcus, and Maya stood nearby, watching the mother and daughter with quiet amusement and relief. The sight warmed their hearts.
Zara lifted Lilly into her arms and glanced at them gratefully.
“Let me take her upstairs,” she whispered. “I’ll be back.”
They nodded.
Marcus and Victor sat down on the couch, but the happiness on their faces slowly faded, replaced by worry.
Maya did
