Rhea kneeled down in front of her six-year-old daughter, Alison, and took her small hands in hers. "Alison, sweetheart, Mommy needs to go away for a little while with Archie and Ariana, but I promise I'll be back soon. I'll miss you every single day, and I'll think about you all the time."
Alison's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at her mother. "But why, Mommy? Why do you have to go? I don't want you to leave. Please don't go."
Rhea's heart ached at the sight of her daughter's distress. She pulled Alison into a tight embrace, holding her close. "I know, baby, I know it's hard. But it's something I have to do. Archie and Ariana need my help, and I have to be there for them. I wish I could stay, but I promise I'll come back as soon as I can."
Alison clung to her mother, her sobs s
