Back at Derek’s house, Ella’s phone vibrated softly on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Rick calling. Her heart lifted as she quickly answered, seeing Leo and Liam’s faces pop up on the video call.
"Mommy!" Liam’s voice was filled with excitement, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Leo, the quieter of the two, waved shyly but stared at her with a questioning look.
"Hi, my loves," Ella greeted them, her voice soft and warm despite the ache in her chest. Seeing their faces was both a relief and a reminder of the distance between them. "How are you? Have you been good for Uncle Rick?"
Rick appeared on the screen, giving Ella a reassuring smile. "They’ve been perfect little angels," he joked, though Ella could sense the weight of responsibility in his tone. He
