Chapter 36

• Charlotte closed the door behind her, letting the comforting sound echo through the quiet house. The soft glow of the late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, illuminating the small living room. It felt so good to be home after a long day. She kicked off her shoes and hung her coat on the rack, the familiar routine calming her racing mind.
• “Leo?!” she called out, her voice infused with excitement. She had been looking forward to this moment all day. Her little boy’s laughter was like music to her ears, and she could already hear his soft giggles from the kitchen. She walked toward the sound, her heart swelling with anticipation.
• “Mom!” Leo shouted, his voice bubbling with joy as he dashed into the living room. His bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and a huge smile adorned his face, stretching from ear to ear. “You won’t believe what happened today!”