Chapter 947



Kallie turned her head, her voice steady yet filled with deep emotion as she addressed Sophie, “Sophie, you’re the eldest now. Can you help me take care of your younger brother and Brysen?”

Sophie nodded firmly, though tears pooled in her eyes, betraying her inner turmoil.

“Mom, I’ll do my best. It’s my fault Elma was taken. Maybe she wouldn’t have been kidnapped if I’d gone to her earlier that day.”

Sophie’s voice faltered, her tears spilling over as her unease overwhelmed her.

Kallie’s heart clenched as she pulled Sophie into a comforting embrace.

“Sophie, don’t blame yourself. You’ve already done so much. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me—for not protecting you all better. I’ll be upset if you keep punishing yourself over this.”

Even through her sobs, Sophie reached up to wipe away the tears escaping Kallie’s eyes.

“Mom, don’t cry. I won’t say things like that again. Just… please don’t be sad anymore.”

At fifteen, Sophie was nearly as tall as her mother, her smile still angelic despite the weight she carried.

Kallie held Sophie tightly, cherishing the moment. Time had passed too quickly, and though she longed to keep her children close forever, she knew that desire was selfish. In this world, there were only a few people she could truly trust.

After giving Sophie her instructions, Kallie prepared to leave. Jake’s current residence wasn’t hard to find.

Standing before the gates of the Reeves estate, a place both achingly familiar and distant, it hit Kallie like a wave. She felt unsteady, as though the memories tethered to this place were pulling her under. How long had it been since she was last here? Since Jake’s accident, her heart had been shattered.

Though Kallie had hired people to maintain the Reeves family estate each year, with the servants staying on, nostalgia lingered, and she couldn’t bring herself to confront the past, fearing she might never move on.

Kallie had once believed she would never set foot in this place again. Yet here she was, driven not by nostalgia, but by necessity. The security guards recognized Kallie immediately and welcomed her without hesitation. To them, Kallie was not just a visitor but also their hostess.

Inside, the servants greeted Kallie warmly. As she sat in the familiar living room, a servant quickly brought her a cup of coffee. A few of them had reddened eyes, their Hesitation thickened the air as the servants struggled to find the right words for Kallie. They hoped for reconciliation between Kallie and Jake, that Kallie might return and restore the family they admired. Kallie could feel their silent prayers, but all she could offer in return was a faint smile, unsure how to explain.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke Kallie’s reverie.

Lacey descended the grand spiral staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the polished wood. When her gaze fell on Kallie, sitting there with the poise of someone who belonged, a flicker of displeasure crossed her face. But she quickly masked it with a practiced smile.

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