Though she could be stern with Cheryl at times, Cheryl was her life—her only comfort in this world. If not for her love for little Cheryl, she might not even be alive today.
"Mommy, why are you crying?"
Cheryl, sitting beside her, heard her suppressed sobs. Looking up to see her tear-streaked face, the child compassionately dropped the remote control and raised her little hands to wipe away her tears.
Hearing Cheryl's words, Lara's mother on the other end realized she'd spoken too harshly. She awkwardly changed the subject. "Where's Mason? Let me talk to him for a bit."
"He's still sleeping..."
Lara wiped away her tears, using this excuse to deflect her mother's questions. Besides, Mason Thorne's phone was temporarily unreachable anyway.
"Oh, I see. I won't disturb you two then."
After her mother hung up, Lara turned and held Cheryl in her arms, sobbing openly. "Cheryl, Mommy will never abandon you, never. No one can separate us!"
