Chapter 952



In the playroom, Kallie found Elma surrounded by her favorite toys.

Yet, despite the playful environment, Elma appeared somber, sitting quietly on the plush carpet and staring out the window, her mind seemingly miles away.

Kallie stepped into the room, her heart pounding with apprehension.

The moment Elma heard Kallie’s footsteps, her eyes lit up with recognition.

“Mommy!” she squealed.

Elma turned around, her face beaming with joy, and rushed into Kallie’s arms.

Jake, watching from the doorway, felt a pang of surprise and sadness. Their bond was so strong that Elma could recognize Kallie just by the sound of her footsteps.

Kallie hugged Elma tightly, all her worries and fears melting away. She knelt down and anxiously examined Elma, searching for any signs of injury.

Relieved to find none, Kallie let out a sigh.

“Elma, sweetheart,” Kallie said, her voice filled with guilt.

“I’m so sorry. I should have come sooner. You must have been so worried these past few days. You probably haven’t been eating properly either. You feel so much thinner.”

Elma shook her head, but a flicker of unease betrayed her words.

“I’ve been eating fine. I just missed you so much. Are you here to take me home? I really want to see my brother and sister. These days, I haven’t been able to go to school, and I haven’t seen you or my siblings. I feel so lonely here.”

Sensing Kallie’s sadness, Elma tried her best to sound cheerful. But her efforts only made Kallie feel worse.

“Elma, sweetheart, I’m not here to take you home today. You need to stay here a little longer. Your dad hasn’t seen you in years and missed you very much. Can you stay with him for a bit longer?” Kallie said, her voice thick with emotion.

Elma’s eyes welled up with tears, and she wailed in frustration, “Why? Is it because I’m annoying? Do you not love me anymore? I want to go home! I miss you and my brother and sister. I don’t want to stay here!”

“No, honey, it’s not like that at all,” Kallie said, pulling Elma into a comforting hug.

Smart as ever, Elma quickly figured it out. She glared at Jake, who was standing in the doorway.

“Did my dad threaten you? He’s a bad guy! He brought me here and locked me up, and now he won’t let me go home with you! I hate him!”

“No, sweetheart, that’s not it,” Kallie said gently, wiping away Elma’s tears.

“He just doesn’t know how to talk to you or get along with you. But he loves you very much, Elma. He would never hurt you. Has he been good to you?”

Elma looked down, her voice barely a whisper.

“He’s been nice to me.”

“So, you can’t say things like that anymore,” Kallie said firmly.

“Besides, it’s not like you’ll never go back home. You’re just staying here for a little while. After a month, even if you don’t want to go home, I’ll come and take you back.”

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