Chapter 971



“It’s getting cold out here,” Kallie said, gently touching Brysen’s hand.

“Let’s go inside.”

Brysen looked up at Kallie blankly but didn’t pull her hand away. As Kallie led Brysen toward the house, Brysen suddenly stopped, pulled her hand away, and refused to budge.

Kallie was confused.

“Did I hurt you?” she asked, worried that she had gripped Brysen’s hand too hard.

Brysen didn’t respond. She just stared straight ahead, mumbling to herself.

Kallie followed Brysen’s gaze and saw a statue of a couple embracing by the fountain. She didn’t understand what had caught Brysen’s attention, but as she moved closer, she heard Brysen whispering the name “Halsland.”

“Brysen, do you want to go to Halsland?” Kallie asked cautiously. This time, Brysen seemed to understand her and nodded eagerly.

Kallie’s heart leaped with excitement. Brysen rarely reacted to anything, so this was a big deal.

“Then we’ll go to Halsland!” Kallie declared.

“We’ll all go on a trip, and if there’s anyone or any place you want to find there, we’ll find them. How does that sound?”

It was the first time Brysen had expressed a desire for anything, and Kallie was determined to make it happen. Maybe going to Halsland would help Brysen heal.

But then Kallie remembered a problem. Elma was staying with Jake. If she went to Halsland, Jake would never let Elma go with her. Elma would be stuck in Burmoos all alone. But waiting another month might be too long for Brysen.

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm brings endless adventures Unsure of what to do, Kallie talked to her other two children about it.

To her surprise, Calvin had a solution.

“Mom, I have an idea. You, Brysen, and Sophie go to Halsland. I’ll stay here with Elma.”

Kallie and Sophie were both taken aback by Calvin’s suggestion.

“That’s not what I meant,” Kallie replied.

“Maybe I can talk to Jake and convince him to let Elma come with us.”

Calvin chuckled.

“Mom, he’s not going to let Elma go. I don’t know what his game is, but getting Elma back won’t be easy. I’d rather go and keep an eye on things. I’m worried Elma might be getting bullied there.”

Kallie frowned.

“Calvin, I know you don’t like your father, but I hope you can believe he’ll be a good father to Elma.”

“A good father wouldn’t have brought that woman to our family dinner and embarrassed you like that,” Calvin shot back, his voice laced with indignation.

“It was humiliating for all of us.” This time, Sophie remained silent, a clear indication that she agreed with Calvin.

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