Three days later.

Cloudcrest City, Westbrook Old Town. A cozy guesthouse.

Out in the garden, where all kinds of lush green plants and bright flowers flourished, Lucky lay sprawled on the ground, tongue lolling. Sunlight warmed his face, and he squinted contentedly, utterly relaxed.

Little Nina, clutching a child's makeup kit in one hand and a tiny powder puff in the other, was busy giving Lucky a makeover with impressive seriousness for

someone her age.

A few feet away, little Mario sat quietly on a wooden bench, head bowed in concentration, twisting and turning his Rubik's Cube.

From the kitchen drifted the comforting aroma of home-cooked food.

James was busy preparing lunch.

Just then, Lorna pushed open the vintage wooden gate at the edge of the yard, glanced around the sun-dappled garden, and then closed the door behind her, sliding the latch into place.

The creak of the gate caught Mario's attention. He looked up.

Lorna walked over and ruffled his hair. "Still working on your Rubik's Cube?"

up at her. "I can

Rubik's Cube for him, and Stewart who

knew how

"Ms. Riley, have you talked to Dad

well. Maybe

back before winter?" Lorna pressed her lips together, hesitating.

Ms. Riley was just trying to

the truth: his dad wasn't overseas on

Lorna sighed softly.

down at the puzzle. "What about my

froze for a

a mother by his side, making him especially sensitive

she hadn't expected him to

must have realized something had happened to Briony,

any further, Lorna said gently, "Your mom is away on a

is with

okay."

anxiety in his chest, but there was nothing he could do. He'd already lost his

to Mario's quiet sensitivity,

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