Waylon Lewis's gaze was deep and with a final sigh of resignation, he couldn't help feel a tightness in his chest as Luke's words indeed struck a chord, causing him a subtle discomfort.
Hope Williams finished washing up with the two little ones and coaxed them to sleep, "Okay, babies, go to sleep. Mommy has some things to do, but once I'm done, I'll tell you a bedtime story, okay?"
"Okay, then hurry up, Mommy," said Luke, as he and Willow hand in hand, scampered off to their room.
Hope Williams's first order of business upon sitting down on the living room sofa was to make a phone call.
The other party picked up promptly.
"Hi, Director Delacey."
"Hey Cynthia, it's been a while since I heard from you. How have things been since you returned home? Are you adjusting well? And how about your ex-husband? How are the two little treasures? Oh my, I haven't seen you guys in so long; I miss you terribly," came the fluent English of the middle-aged woman on the other end.