My mother-in-law waved a hand dismissively. “What kind of talk is that? If you miss us, just visit anytime or call, and your father and I will come see you. It’s that simple.”
I forced a smile, but deep down, I knew the truth.
This would be the last time.
Once I left this world, there would be no more visits, no more phone calls, only silence. The thought lodged in my throat, thick and unbearable. My voice trembled as I asked, “Mom if we could never see each other again... would you and Dad be sad?”
A flicker of panic flashed across her face.
“Sweetheart, why would you ask something like that? Did something happen? Are you... leaving us?”
Before I could answer, approaching footsteps broke the fragile moment.
Hugo stepped inside, Jasper at his side, and Ava walked between them as if she belonged there. The three of them looked almost like a picture-perfect family from a distance.
Hugo’s expression darkened, suspicion clouding his gaze. “Leaving? Who’s leaving?”
My mother-in-law turned, and the moment her eyes landed on Ava, the warmth drained from her face.
“Why did you bring this woman here?”
The air grew thick with tension, the temperature in the room dropping in an instant.