Linda nodded slightly, and the helper went to ladle some soup, treating her with the same gentle care as one might a child. When the helper left, Linda seemed a little reluctant to see her go. Jamie reassured her, "Don't worry, she'll be back in a couple of days."

Linda continued eating, her focus unwavering. It was hard to tell if she truly understood Jamie's reassurances or not.

Oddly enough, despite her mental state being comparable to that of a five-year-old, many of her actions still carried the poise of an adult. Perhaps her body remembered what her mind could not. Jamie watched her mother eat with quiet relief, feeling a small sense of comfort seeing her mother in a more settled state.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Jamie glanced at Linda. "I'll just get the door," she said softly before heading toward it.

As she opened the door, she froze, completely taken aback by the unexpected sight before her.

Charlie, oblivious to her reaction, chirped cheerfully from Mrs. Lucas's arms, "Mommy! I missed you so much!"

Jamie looked up at Mrs. Lucas, who gave her a soft smile. "Charlie really wanted to see you. He's been so distracted at our house, so I thought I'd bring him back for a little while."

off guard, Jamie froze in the doorway, unsure what to do

Without waiting for an explanation, he ran into the house and straight into Linda. Mrs. Lucas's

had no reservations. "Mommy, who's this lady?" he asked, his curiosity on

much she had kept from Charlie. His father's identity, Mrs. Lucas's role in

through her chest. She took a

eye level. "This is

Charlie's eyes

patient and gentle as she began

of a grandparent was foreign to him But Jamie carefully broke it down, piece by piece, like assembling a

he asked, his

voice softened as her gaze dimmed, her thoughts

always perceptive, gently said, "I get it, Mommy. Don't be sad. I'll make sure to get

tiny hand, wiping away

she pulled Charlie into a tight hug. The weight of her guilt mingled with a sense of relief at

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