Chapter 305

As night fell, the trio finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. Samantha drove the other two toward the airport, her hands steady on the wheel. "Megan, make sure to call us as soon as you arrive, okay? Just to let us know you're safe." "Of course, you'll be the first to hear from us," came the reassuring reply. Ethan stood up, gripping the back of the seat for support. His voice wobbled slightly as he said, "Battle-axe, Ethan's really gonna miss you." His nose twitched as he fought back sniffles. Silently, he pulled out a check and slipped it into Samantha's favorite cloth pouch. Samantha often said that if her child were still alive, they'd be taller than her by now—and Ethan would have to call them "big brother." But life didn't deal in "what-ifs," and Ethan had learned that truth early on. Two hours later, Samantha dropped them off at the airport. A young man was already waiting to escort them inside. Samantha watched their retreating figures, tears streaming down her cheeks un