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.

her surprise, the

you think," Jamie blurted, desperation lacing

anger. "You're still lying to me? Everything about you and him has been a lie. You think I'll believe you now?" Jamie's throat tightened, unable to

take Charlie and leave," she said quietly, forcing the words

down!" Winnie spat, her voice seething with venom. "And now you want to leave? Jamie, I wish you'd

her hands trembling as she clutched the phone. "What can I do to make it

her turmoil. She lowered her voice, handing the phone to him.

the sound of his

Mom. Aunt Winnie has so

her voice wavering but calm. "Be good, and

you," Charlie

too, sweetheart," Jamie replied, swallowing back her emotions. "Just a little longer, and I'll be

Charlie chirped, his happiness as pure as

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