My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1171

Dennis Lane’s crying was so loud it felt like it might shake the whole house. Kevin Lane’s ears throbbed with every wail, but he didn’t lose his patience, not even for a second. Anyone else would have gotten annoyed or told Dennis to quiet down, but Kevin just hugged him tighter and bounced him gently on his knee.

“Don’t cry, Dennis. Don’t listen to those stories. People write those news reports just to scare kids your age. You have to be smart, okay? Don’t let them fool you. You know better, right?”

Dennis rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, sniffling hard. “It’s you who’s lying, Grandpa. The news isn’t lying. Mom can’t come back because the bad people took her away.”

Tears streaked down his cheeks as he grabbed Kevin’s arm, desperate. “Grandpa, please, can you help Mom? Help her get out, please?”

Kevin’s eyes, clouded with age and worry, lingered on Dennis. He grabbed a tissue and wiped away the boy’s tears, his voice steady.

“Dennis, you have to believe me. Grandpa would never lie to you. Your mom wasn’t taken away by bad people. She just went on a trip, that’s all.”

Dennis pouted, his face full of stubborn hurt. “No, that’s not true,” he said, his voice breaking. “You’re the one lying. Mom didn’t go on a trip. She was taken by the bad guys, and that’s why she can’t come see me.”

Dennis had already started doubting Kevin’s stories before this. After his secret talk with Amelia Lane, he didn’t trust his grandpa’s answers at all anymore. And after seeing the news about Isabella Austin’s case for himself, he knew for sure. No matter what Kevin said, Dennis wasn’t going to believe him.

Kevin’s brow creased, but he stuck to his story. “Dennis, you don’t believe Grandpa anymore?”

Dennis’s crying slowed for a second.

Kevin leaned in, trying to sound gentle. “I’ve raised you since you were a baby. When have I ever hurt you? You trust what strangers say, but you won’t trust me? You know that really hurts, right?”

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