Chapter 557

“Mommy, I’m fine.” Leo shook his head, concealing the turmoil swirling in his heart. He mustered a faint smile for Eleanor, his lips lifting just enough to give the illusion of calm. But Eleanor saw right through it. She crouched in front of him, her eyes soft but sharp with motherly intuition. How could she not recognise the sadness behind that brave little face? Her son had always been thoughtful, always too quick to shoulder blame that wasn’t his. She knew—he was worried. About her. About Lilly. Maybe even about everything that had happened. “You little rascal.” A small laugh escaped her lips as she gently tapped his forehead with her finger. “Stop overthinking everything. What’s done is done. We’ll just have to make the best of it, okay?” Her voice was light, but filled with unshakable strength—the kind only a mother could offer. Leo looked up, meeting her gaze. Something in her warmth reassured him. The tension in his small shoulders melted away just a bit, and he nodded obedientl