Anya was sprawled out on her bed, chatting away on the phone with her

boyfriend. Ash was right there too, lying nearby, soaking up every word like it was

the latest episode of her favorite show.

That afternoon, Leo and Chunky were both slammed with work. The black market

was buzzing-everyone wanted Chunky for side gigs, and he was so busy he

barely had time to catch his breath. In the sweltering summer heat, he ran around

until he was drenched. After two weeks of this, he'd dropped a noticeable amount

of weight.

Naomi tried twice to swing by her son's apartment, hoping to catch him at home,

but both times she went home disappointed. Bruce had no better luck-he struck

out after several attempts too.

Whenever they called, Leo sounded just as rushed as ever. "Don't worry, Mom,

Dad. I'm just a bit tied up right now. Once I get some free time, I'll come pick you

up and we'll grab dinner together." Same old line every time.

Their anxiety only grew, so they decided to just wait for him at the entrance to his

building. It was late-the stars were barely visible and the crowds had long since

gone-when Leo's car finally rolled up.

"Mom? Dad?" Leo spotted their license plate from a distance.

He parked and hopped out to greet them. When Bruce noticed Chunky with Leo,

caught off guard-he had no clue which friend

excused himself: "Leo, go

I'll head home."

went to a little restaurant. Leo explained

"Between the renovations, buying equipment, and

haven't

how much thinner her son

onto his plate. "Eat up, sweetheart. If

like this, she'd never let you

pride and concern. He

with questions: "If

you'll call, okay?"

Dad. I

of paperwork?" Bruce asked, still looking for something

he could help with.

...

dinner, the three of them wandered around the

parents home and then headed back

apartment, fired up his laptop, and got

days, it's up to us to

he said.

powered through

Leo

to shower and crash.

wiped out, couldn't

to check for

flopped into bed and was

like a light.

Mia and Molly

latest gossip on

kid

to tell

talks to Anya.

loop," Molly

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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