Chapter 8

• The house was a whirlwind of energy as Maya raced around, gathering her belongings while trying to keep an eye on her four children. Her quadruplets, now four years old, were bundles of pure chaos and joy. Ever since their birth, they had been her world, her motivation, and her biggest challenge. She loved them fiercely, but today was bittersweet.
• This trip would mark the first time Maya would be separated from them since the day they were born. Her chest tightened at the thought. She was heading to a professional development seminar in Country J, a rare opportunity she couldn’t pass up. But the idea of leaving her babies, even for just a few days, tugged at her heartstrings.
• “Mommy, why do you have to go?” Ethan, her oldest by a few minutes, asked, his big brown eyes brimming with curiosity and a hint of sadness. He was her little leader, always taking charge and looking out for his siblings.