Mia holds herself, her arms wrapped tight around her own body, as though she was the only thing keeping herself together. Her chest felt heavy, her throat sore, and no matter how many times she blinked, her eyes still burned.

    She had no idea why the tears were threatening to fall so badly, why she just wanted to curl in on herself and sob until there was nothing left inside.

    Maybe it was the way the day had turned. Maybe it was how fast things spiraled from normal to terrifying. Or maybe it was simply because she was exhausted…..exhausted from being strong, from putting on a brave face, from pretending like she

    wasn’t about to break.

    The moment they got to the parking lot, she froze when Ethan suddenly stiffened beside her. His eyes caught something in the distance, and before Mia could even ask what was wrong, his lips formed a name.

    Mr. Felix.

    Her heart sank to her stomach. She had totally forgotten he wasing here. In fact, she had managed to shove him out of her thoughtspletely.

    And now here he was. When all she wanted to do was run home, lock the door, and hide from the world.

    “Good afternoon, Mr. Felix,” Mia said quickly, her voice strained, though she tried her best to sound polite.

    Ethan, calm as ever, extended his hand for a shake. Mr. Felix epted it, but his eyes didn’t leave Mia and Ethan. There was a crease on his forehead, a silent question lingering in the way he stared at them.

    “What’s going on?” he asked, his tone carrying confusion more than suspicion

    “Aiden wants to get ice cream,” Ethan answered smoothly. Then, as though the universe hadn’t already punished her enough, he added, “You can join us if you want.”

    Mia wanted to scream at him right there in the parking lot. She wanted to stomp her foot and tell him to keep quiet.

    Can’t he read the desperation on her face? Can’t he see she was barely holding it together?

    He clearly knows what this man wants. Why is he freaking encouraging it.

    “Oh, cool,” Mr. Felix said, his face brightening with a smile. “I’ll follow you guys with my car” He ruffled Aiden’s hair lightly before stepping back toward his car.

    And that’s how they found themselves a few minutester inside one of the most popr ice cream stores in town.

    The cheerful jingles, the colorful decor, and the long line of families and kids waiting to be served only made Mia feel more agitated.

    Aiden had lightened up a bit, his small hands pressed against the ss as he pointed at the tubs of ice cream lined neatly in their freezers. His eyes were wide, the earlier sadness gone for now, reced with excitement as he tried to decide between mint or strawberry.

    Mia, however, was still shaken. Her hands trembled when she reached for napkins on the counter, and her heartbeat has not quite calmed since the incident earlier.

    Her fear of this ce increases every day, it’s because of where she is and the people in this town, who they are and what they can do to her and her son..

    God what is she doing….She begs herself to try and calm down.

    11:23 Sun, 24 Aug

    Ethan and Aiden were still arguing about the best ice cream.

    Aiden grinned wide, holding up his mint cone proudly, just like his father used to.

    And that was all it took.

    An unwanted memory came crashing into Mia’s head.

    “Who even eats mint ice cream? Gross,” she had teased,ughing.

    Alex had only pulled her closer, hugging her from behind. His lips brushed against her neck, soft and teasing.

    “Me,” he whispered.

    Mia had giggled as he spun her around and pressed his mouth to hers, stealing a kiss that melted herpletely.

    When he pulled back, heughed at the face she made after tasting the mint.

    “And now you,” Alex had teased, chuckling as he slowly backed away.

    Mia had red at him yfully, then broke intoughter as she chased after him.

    She blinked, and the memory dissolved.

    Now, here in the present, Aiden was smiling at something Ethan said.

    That smile…

    It was just like his father’s.

    His likes…. just like his father

    His freaking everything, just like his father!

    “Mia are you okay ” Mr Felix asked

    She blinks at him, a little taken aback that he addressed her by her first name.

    Mr Felix must have noticed her difort.

    He scratches the back of his head.

    “Hope it’s okay?”

    Mia wants to say no.

    But she forced a smile and nodded.

    She sighed softly, her shoulders sagging, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.

    She wanted to go home. She wanted to sit on her couch, hold Aiden close, and just rest. No more surprises. No more conversations that made her chest tighten.

    But life didn’t seem to care what Mia wanted.

    “Hey, Aiden,” Mr. Felix called, his voice yful.

    Aiden turned his head, his eyes wide and cautious. He had always been so reserved around strangers, never giving them more than what was necessary. His voice was soft when he answered, “Yes?”

    n

    ???85%

    11:24 Sun, 24 Aug Q

    “Do you know Pocho game?” Mr. Felix asked, his lips pulling into a smile that deepened the dimples on his cheeks.

    At the mention of the game, Aiden’s face lit up. His lips curved slowly into a smile, and for a moment her heart eased.

    A chuckle escaped her lips before she could stop it. That beautiful smile…..her son’s smile…. was her weakness.

    Just like his father’s was… the unhelpful part of her head adds.

    38

    Aiden loved that game. He always had. And Mia, though she had teased him for ying it so much, secretly loved it too.

    Even though it was technically a children’s game, she had gotten addicted to it at some point, spending nights ying level after level when she couldn’t sleep.

    “Would you like toe to its anniversary?” Mr. Felix asked, tilting his head, watching Aiden’s reaction carefully.

    Aiden turned to Mia instantly, his big eyes searching hers, waiting for her approval like he always did. “Can I go, Mama?” he asked softly, his voice carrying that hopeful tone that made Mia’s heart ache.

    “Yes, baby,” Mia said gently, brushing his cheek with her thumb. “But first we need to know about it, okay?” She turned to Mr. Felix, her brows knitting. “What anniversary?”

    “Pocho game,” he exined, his tone light but proud. “It’s been five years since we created it.”

    “Who’s we?” Mia asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

    “Thepany, thepany you work at. Ourpany,” Mr. Felix said slowly, looking at her with confusion as though her question didn’t make any sense.

    Mia’s lips parted, but no words came out. She stared at him, her mind whirling, trying to piece together what he just said. “You didn’t know it’s our game?” he asked, his tone almost cautious now.

    “What?” Mia whispered, her throat tight.

    “Alex Lowell created Pocho.”

    AD

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