CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN - A Stranger Offers Guidance

He's your brother." Sophia looked at Julian curiously, then back at Lucas. "Like Tommy at school has a brother?" Lucas nodded, smiling. "That's right, honey. Just like that." Julian stepped forward, offering a shy smile. "Hi, Sophia. I like your shoes. They're sparkly." Sophia beamed, looking down at her light-up sneakers. "Thanks! Wanna see them blink?" Just like that, the ice was broken. Soon, Sophia was showing Julian how to pump his legs on the swing, their laughter filling the air. Ella stood to the side, watching the scene unfold. She should have been happy, she knew. This was going better than she could have hoped. But as she watched Lucas push both children on the swings, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was watching her family change before her eyes. Carla sidled up next to her, following her gaze. "They seem to be getting along well," she observed. Ella nodded stiffly, unsure how to respond. The two women stood in awkward silence, both watching the scene before