"Mommy, why haven't you come yet," Charlie muttered to himself, his small voice lost in the chaos of the bustling schoolyard.

At that moment, a woman in a black dress with long flowing hair appeared, her steps unhurried. She crouched down to meet his gaze and asked gently, "Are you Charlie?"

Charlie looked at the unfamiliar lady, his curiosity piqued. After a moment of scrutiny, his eyes widened in surprise. She looked so much like his aunt! But uncertainty lingered in his young mind, so he cautiously replied, "You look familiar."

Winnie smiled faintly, a glimmer of complexity in her eyes as she studied the child before her. She already knew exactly who he was. "I know your mom pretty well. We're... friends."

"Do you know why she hasn't come yet?" Charlie asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"She might be held up on the way. How about this? Come with me, and we'll wait for her together at a nearby cafe. It'll be more fun than standing here."

strangers echoing in his mind. But this wasn't just any stranger. After deliberating for a long moment, he finally nodded with reluctant trust. "Alright, but as soon as my mom comes,

preschool. They sat down at a table by the window, the aroma of

Winnie's hands, his curiosity evident. But when he reached out, Winnie shook her head firmly. "Coffee isn't good for kids. It can keep you awake and jittery. You can have

words gave Charlie pause. His little hand quickly pulled back, a hint of caution crossing his

and ordered a hot milk and a cake for him. Charlie ate happily, savoring every bite. Winnie, meanwhile, gazed out the window, her eyes tinged with a faint

whim, a sudden impulse to

"Are you ok?"

her head, realizing someone was tugging at her sleeve. She met Charlie's

couldn't deny that Charlie bore a striking resemblance to Ben, especially his eyes. Those same expressive, bright eyes stirred something deep within her, momentarily blurring her thoughts as she was

staring out the window for a while. Why? What are you looking at?" Charlie tilted

her lips curving into a faint smile. "It's nothing. Just lost in thought. How's

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