His gentle, loving mom had been taken away.
The moment Dennis heard the news, his tears just wouldn’t stop. He grabbed at his shirt, his little body shaking with every sob. The tears poured down his cheeks, one after another, like he’d lost all control. His heart ached so much, but even in that pain, he tried his hardest not to cry out loud. He bit back the noise, barely letting out more than a whimper.
Maybe that was what made it hurt even more for everyone watching. The living room felt tight, like no one could breathe.
Dennis wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, voice barely above a whisper. “Grandpa told me… he said Mommy just went on a trip. Isn’t that right?”
The maid’s heart sank. The remote in her hand suddenly felt too hot, slipping and sliding in her grip.
“Dennis, it’s… it’s all lies,” she stammered, trying to sound reassuring. “That’s just people on the internet making things up. You shouldn’t believe any of it…”
But Dennis only cried harder. His mouth opened wide as he choked out the words, his voice shaking. “I saw it! Stop lying! The reason Mommy can’t come home is because she’s been taken away!”
Once he started crying like this, it could go on forever. Amelia, worried Dennis might forget what he needed to do, reached out and gently touched his arm.
“Dennis, don’t cry,” she whispered. “I’m still here.”
His sobbing slowed down right away. He looked up at her, his eyes swollen and red from crying.
Amelia met his gaze, her voice gentle. “Did you forget what I told you last night?”
This was all part of the plan. Amelia had told Dennis he would “accidentally” see a story about Isabella’s case, then rush to his grandpa for help, heartbroken and desperate.
Dennis’s hand was soaked with tears by now, so he wiped his eyes on his sleeve instead.
He nodded hard, then jumped off the sofa and ran straight for Kevin’s study.


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