Lara edged toward the sound of the kids' voices, every step slow, careful, like the floor might snitch on her.
Her heart hammered so loud she swore they could hear it.
Then she caught it.
That baby-powder, milky scent that belonged only to Shay.
But then, she also smelt the fear.
Sharp. Sour. Heavy in the air.
They were scared out of their minds.
"Shay… Sweetie… it's me," Lara whispered, keeping her voice low and steady. "Mommy's here. Don't panic."
Silence.
Then—
"Mommy?"
Her voice was small and shaky, like the word might break.
She thought she was dreaming.
Beside her, Sandro stirred. "Aunt Larissa?" His voice cracked. "You really here?"
"I'm here," Lara said. "Both of you. I got you."
A muffled sniffle.
"Mommy, I'm scared," Shay whispered. "Like… really scared."
Hearing that almost wrecked her.
But she couldn't fall apart. Not now.
"Listen to me," Lara said, steel sliding into her tone. "Nobody's touching you. Not while I'm breathing. You hear me?"
