Neil led Anna toward the front yard, and she quietly pulled her hand away, trying to hide her discomfort.
Neil didn't say much, but a faint trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. "Anna, I'll go see my aunt first."
After he left, a small figure suddenly ran over from a distance and jumped into her arms, his soft voice calling out sweetly, "Auntie!"
Anna looked down and saw Shawn clinging to her. She gently brushed his hair and checked his face, relieved to see he hadn't lost weight.
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable closeness to him, like he was her own child.
Even knowing the complicated issues between his parents, that strange feeling of protectiveness never faded.
"Shawn, how did you get here? Where are your mom and dad? Did you sneak out alone?" Anna asked gently, setting him down a little. "That's dangerous, sweetheart. Be good and go back, okay?"
Shawn's face instantly fell.
