Grace trudged down the grand staircase, her suitcase in tow, her face set with determination. The hallway was eerily silent as she moved, but it didn't stay that way for long. As she reached the bottom, the soft patter of footsteps echoed from the direction of the living room.
Mindy, Aiden, and Natasha appeared, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of their mother with her suitcase.
"Mum, what's going on?" Mindy's voice trembled, her eyes flickering between Grace and the suitcase. "Where are you going?"
Grace stopped, her heart aching as she faced her children. Mindy's wide eyes were filled with concern, Aiden's small face was scrunched up in confusion, and Natasha's lower lip quivered.
"Mum, why are you leaving?" Aiden asked, his voice small and uncertain. "Are you going on a trip? When will you be back?"
