She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

"Mommy... I want Mommy..." In the car, Josie clung tightly to Maria, like a small kitten abandoned by its owner. She was trembling uncontrollably as she sobbed so hard it seemed like she could barely catch her breath.

"Don't be scared, Josie. We'll see Mommy soon," Maria said softly as she stroked Josie's head, trying to comfort her. "Mommy will always be by your side, and so will Daddy, your brothers, your grandparents, Athena, and me. We'll always be with you." Josie seemed unable to hear anything Maria said. She just kept crying and calling out for her mother.

Athena sighed quietly and sent a message to her mother, briefly explaining what had happened, and letting her know that they were on their way to Donovan's Restaurant with Josie.

Claire replied immediately: [I'll be waiting for Josie at the corner]

It was rush hour, and although Athena took the best route and drove as fast as she could, it still took over twenty minutes to reach Donovan's Restaurant.

Claire was already there with Arthur, anxiously waiting.

As soon as Athena parked the car, Claire rushed to open the door and reached for Josie. "Josie, I'm here. Don't be afraid."

"Mommy?" At the sound of her mother's voice, Josie finally lifted her tear-streaked face from Maria's arms and stretched out her hands to Claire.

Seeing her swollen eyes and hoarse voice, everyone around felt a pang of heartache.

Claire held Josie in her arms, tears streaming down her face. "Don't be afraid, Josie. I will always love you and protect you. Don't be afraid."

"Mommy..." Josie clung to Claire, burying her head in Claire's shoulder, her voice so hoarse she could barely speak. "You're

real mother. I don't want anyone else to be my mother.

"Mommy, please don't abandon me. I will be good. Please don't leave me..."

and the others exchanged looks, their

biological mother undoubtedly caused deep emotional scars. This fear

Without you, I can't go on living," Claire said gently, stroking Josie's head,

sniffled, looking up at

her on the cheek. "I promise.

she still tried to look at her mother. "Mommy, don't

gaze resolute. "You're my precious little girl. I'll never hand you over

her body softening. "I want to stay with

water bottle, motioning for her

kept crying, her voice would soon

had tried to get Josie to drink some water in the touch, she'd scream in terror. There was

Maria, and at the

be a good

Okay?" Claire gently pressed the bottle to Josie's lips, softly humming a lullaby she used

her mouth and took

finishing the bottle, she let out a tiny yawn

a collective sigh of

to the water," Athena said. "It should help her sleep for

reaching out to take Josie

scrunching up as if rejecting the idea of being taken

alright, I'll carry

is unstable. I can't feel

home now to take