Bella squeezed her grandmother’s hand tightly, a surge of warmth filling her chest despite the nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "Okay, Grandma, I love you. Bye! Please, do not forget to take your medicines," she said, her voice a flurry of affectionate panic as she rushed toward the front door.
Her grandmother simply waved at her with a gentle, reassuring smile, her eyes filled with nothing but pride for her hardworking granddaughter.
Outside, the morning air was crisp and biting. The moment Bella stepped onto the porch, a loud, cheerful honk echoed through the quiet street. Maggie was already idling by the curb, gripping the steering wheel of her car with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
Bella tossed her bag into the passenger seat and slid in, barely slamming the d
