Winter was halfway to hailing a cab when Lilac's call cut through. She quickly answered.
"Lilac, what's wrong? Why haven't you been answering my calls?" Winter's distressed voice carried through the line. She had been on the verge of driving back to Rosewood Mansion to confront Rita, but Lilac's call stopped her from making any rash decisions.
As she tried to steady her breathing, a faint sound of children's music filtered through the phone, instantly soothing her nerves.
"I'm sorry, Winter. I forgot to tell you I took Seren to the mall. She wanted to play some games, and, well, you know, I just couldn't refuse her," Lilac admitted.
Relief washed over Winter. If only she had known earlier, she wouldn't have left dinner with her friends so abruptly, rushing home in a panic.
Now that she knew Seren was safe and having fun with Lilac, she could finally relax.
