When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 209

“Okay.”

Nelly smiled and gently lifted the corners of Carrie’s mouth with her fingertips, coaxing a little smile out of her daughter. She only turned to leave after she watched Carrie head into her classroom.

As soon as Nelly was gone, Carrie’s small shoulders drooped. The thought of not seeing her mom again tonight made her sigh quietly.

“Now, let me see… Who’s making our little princess look so down today?”

A familiar woman’s voice drifted into Carrie’s ears.

Her eyelids twitched. She looked up and found Sheila floating toward her from outside the classroom.

Sheila had actually been waiting at the kindergarten for a while. She’d seen the whole scene of Carrie and Nelly reluctantly saying goodbye from a quiet spot in the corner. It surprised her to see how close they’d become in such a short time apart.

But they were mother and daughter. That kind of bond was natural.

Sheila felt calm about it. She watched Nelly leave, then when she turned to Carrie, her smile was warm and inviting.

“Ms. Olson…”

Carrie really was happy to see Sheila, though guilt crept in almost right away. She quickly dropped her head and mumbled, “Why are you here?”

“I came to see you, of course. It’s been days since we last hung out. Did you miss me?”

Sheila crouched down and spoke to her in a gentle voice. Even her perfume was sweet. Whenever Carrie was with her, she always felt happier.

“Mmm.” Carrie nodded.

Sheila felt more like a big sister or a playmate than a grown-up. Sometimes, Carrie thought of her during the week. But right now, all she wanted was for her mom to come back home, so there hadn’t been much room in her heart for anyone else.

“You fibber.” Sheila put on a pout, her voice still soft as she playfully pinched Carrie’s nose. “Now that you have your mom, you’ve forgotten all about me, huh?”

Carrie stayed quiet, so Sheila pulled out the little surprises she’d brought.

There was a slice of Carrie’s favorite cake and a tiny handmade gift—a mini comic book Sheila had drawn just for her.

“Happy Children’s Day, Carrie.”

Sheila held out the gifts. Carrie hesitated, not reaching for them.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like them?” Sheila’s patience was endless.

Carrie shook her head. She loved Sheila’s comics, and she really wanted that cake.

But…

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