Winnie's face twisted into a mocking smile as she glanced back at Charlie, her expression dark and unnerving. "What if the one who hurt me is your mom?"

Charlie froze, his innocent eyes wide with disbelief, but he still whispered, "Mom wouldn't hurt you, Aunt Winnie." Winnie let out a cold, bitter laugh.

Why should her sister's child thrive while her own never even had the chance to see this world?

Why should she endure such loss while Jamie got to keep everything?

"I want to see my mom," Charlie whimpered, his small voice trembling with unease.

Winnie forced herself to soften, her tone placating. "I was just joking. When we get to where we're going, I'll let you call your mom, okay?"

Charlie's worry eased as he turned his attention back to the scenery outside the car window, humming happily to himself.

Meanwhile, Jamie had been calling all morning, her worry mounting with each unanswered ring. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. Winnie was stubborn, always keeping things to herself, but Jamie knew she had to explain what had happened the night before.

surprise, the call

not what you think," Jamie blurted,

with anger. "You're still lying to me? Everything about you and him has been a lie. You

Charlie and leave," she said quietly, forcing the

venom.

her eyes, her hands trembling as she clutched the phone. "What

his happy hums contrasting sharply with her turmoil. She lowered her voice, handing the phone to him. "Your mom wants to talk to you." Charlie's face lit

sound of

Winnie has so many

but calm. "Be good, and I'll come get

miss you," Charlie

replied, swallowing back her emotions.

chirped, his happiness as pure as

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