As Stella reached the house, she was met with a scene that tore at her heart—Benjamin and Emma were playing together, laughter filling the room. For a moment, she was speechless, the gun heavy in her bag. She didn't know what to do.
"Mum!" Emma's voice broke through her turmoil as she ran to her, hugging her tightly. "Welcome back!"
"Thanks, dear," Stella replied, forcing a smile as she embraced her daughter.
"Welcome back. We've been waiting for you," Benjamin said, his tone warm and familiar, making Stella's chest tighten.
"Mum, we prepared a meal for you!" Emma exclaimed, pulling her toward the dining table with excitement.
As they moved toward the table, Benjamin's phone rang, shattering the fragile moment of normalcy.
"Excuse me," he said, stepping away to answer the call, his voice lowering as he spoke.
"Hello, I'm with Stella now," Benjamin said in a hushed tone.
