Leo swallowed hard and softly urged, "Let's head back."

Anya shook her head stubbornly, feeling guilty for Chad getting kicked out. "I'm sorry, Chad."

"There's no need to apologize. I should be thanking you. Anya, I've never felt this relieved before. You voiced my fears, allowing me to face my uncle. Thank you for giving me the strength." Anya's voice trembled with tears. "Chad, I want to go with you."

"Go back," Leo said gently.

Anya shook her head, clutching Leo's shirt hem, afraid of being left behind.

"I'll come back for you. My girlfriend is here; I have to come back for her," Leo reassured.

Anya's face flushed, guessing the truth but still wanting confirmation. "Chad, your girlfriend, where is she?"

"Right in front of me."

Leo called out to Mia and Molly, who were peeking around the corner, "Come on out."

Mia and Molly, both married women, sheepishly walked out, embarrassed about spying on the couple.

"Leo, your uncle was just hot-headed. Give him a couple of days to cool off. I'll talk to him at Maplewood Estates, and you can come back to stay," Mia suggested.

Knowing his uncle's temper, Leo entrusted Anya to them. "Take care of my girlfriend for me; I'll be back for her."

Leo got into his car and drove away, feeling an unprecedented sense of relaxation as he saw the three figures getting smaller in his rearview mirror.

Mia and Molly weren't sure how to react at that moment.

not even having agreed before

she looked from one to the other with a

put an arm around Anya.

"I'm scared to go

her

her. "Don't worry, your

aunt isn't going anywhere. Trust me,

at

dreams and aspirations, which is a good thing. He's still young; let him explore for a few years. If all else fails, he

for a while, realized no one was consoling him and stopped, pouting and snuggling into his

women entered the living room, Anya hesitated at

son wasn't with them, a hint of

"Mia, Molly, Anya, come here and tell us about

women stepped

protected by Chad, spoke up, not as intimidated by

nor opposed it since we didn't understand much about it. But Leo wanted to

Mia nodded in agreement.

in the backyard when Anya overheard us discussing Leo's job interests. Curiosity got the better

attitude towards Anya and their

as he began to understand the confusing

over a dozen beers

Leo hasn't studied

to reveal Chad's true capabilities when she caught her police officer uncle's eye and

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