Annabelle felt her pulse quicken. Her heart skipped a beat as she finally spoke, her voice filled with forced casualness. "Yes, I remember now. You're the one from the hospital," she said, her smile trying to mask the panic simmering beneath the surface.
Edwards' eyes brightened with recognition, his own smile widening. "Exactly! It's been years since I last saw you. Your son is all grown up. He's such a sweet, gentle boy." His voice held a warmth that sent a shiver down Annabelle's spine. She felt a pang of something between joy and sorrow as he handed little Karen back to her.
Karen nestled into his mother's embrace, his tiny arms encircling her neck. The smell of his baby shampoo mixed with the scent of mall air, a sweet reminder of how fragile her world had become. "Karen, don't wander off by yourself next time, okay? Now, tell Uncle thank you," she instructed, her voice steady even as her mind raced.
