Hailee's POV
The ride home felt long and heavy. Oscar sat beside me, his small hand wrapped tightly around mine. He didn't talk much, but I could feel his worry through his quietness. I stared out the window, trying to calm the storm inside my chest. Nothing felt simple anymore. When we finally reached our gates, my heart loosened a little. Home. Even when my life was falling apart, home still carried some kind of safety.
The big front doors opened before I even touched them. Oliver and Ozzy ran out at full speed.
"Mom!" Oliver said first. He stopped right in front of me and looked at my face carefully, almost too carefully for a ten-year-old. "You look… worn out."
I tried to smile, but it felt weak.
"I'm fine, sweetheart."
Ozzy hugged my leg tight like he was scared I'd disappear again.
"Mom, we missed you."
I bent and hugged them both, letting their little arms wrap around me. Their warmth eased me a little.
Then I saw him.
Peter.
