Chapter 808
808:
She couldn’t understand why the kids had wandered off that far.
Caylee’s heart sank. Guilt washed over her.
She was the one who had talked about Collin and those places last night.
But she never thought the kids would actually sneak out the next day to find him.
Too much had happened. Things could have gone terribly wrong. Caylee feared that if Linsey found out she was the reason behind it, she would feel let down.
Rather than wait to be exposed, Caylee thought it best to tell the truth herself.
But before she could say a word, Zander suddenly stepped forward. “Mommy, it was me. I took Zenia out. I just wanted to have some fun. It’s boring in the hotel.”
Caylee froze. Her hands clenched without thinking. Whatever courage she had disappeared in a flash.
She didn’t understand why Zander hid the truth.
Her brows furrowed. She stood there, unsure of what to do.
Linsey let out a tired sigh. “I never said you couldn’t go out and play. But you’re both still kids. If you want to go out, you need an adult with you. I wasn’t busy today. I could’ve taken you. And if I couldn’t, Caylee would’ve gone. But slipping out without telling anyone?”
By the end, her voice shook. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she took their hands. “If something had happened to you… I wouldn’t have been there to save you.”
Zenia’s lips trembled. Seeing her mother so upset broke her heart. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
Your next journey starts at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․𝒸o𝗺
She leaned in slowly, wrapping her small arms around Linsey as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Zander’s eyes were tearful too, but he blinked fast, trying hard not to cry.
Zander pressed his lips together, trying to appear braver than he felt. “Mommy, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have taken Zenia out running around.”
Linsey gently dabbed away Zenia’s tears with a soft tissue, then reached for Zander and wrapped both children tightly in her arms, holding them close against her heart.
Her voice was calm and tender when she finally spoke. “I’m not scolding you. I just need you to promise you won’t scare me like that again.”
The two kids nodded earnestly, their voices chiming together. “We promise we won’t!”
A faint smile touched Linsey’s lips at their sincerity.
No matter how she tried, she could never bring herself to be too harsh with them.
Yes, mistakes had to be acknowledged—but she didn’t want them to be afraid of her.
That was the quiet vow she repeated to herself again and again.
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