"What happened to you, mother?

" Noah was the first one to ask when he stepped forward to land in her embrace.

In a similar manner, Ailey came forward to bend herself a bit to keep her hands around her mother's head.

"Muma, are we going somewhere?

" Ailey also asked when she felt the unknown feelings.

Moreover, why will their mother appear out of nowhere when she knew very well that they must be in their respective classes?

Initially, Sierra didn't answer. She kept her lips sealed for the moment.

Yet, in the back of her mind, it was very much present that muttering nothing will only create doubts in her children's minds. The only way to ease them is to make up a lie….

"I..I.. actually had some work and after I finished it, though why not to actually give you guys some break. Hmm?

" Saying this, Alice's grip tightened on both of their bodies when she took a deep breath. Recalling the earlier conversation still gave her goosebumps on her skin.

In response to her comment, Noah was already overwhelmed with the thought that he will get a day off from his school while Ailey's brows raised.

Being older than Noah, she was much more mature as compared to him and felt some oddness out of this action.

"Are you sure mother that you are here to pick us?

"

Sierra raised her eyes to stare at her daughter giving her a half-smile.

"Obviously. Otherwise, why will muma come to you guys when your classes are going on?

" standing on her toes, she rubbed both of their hair.

On the other hand, her eyes caught the sight of the teachers who stood there when she passed them with a weak smile.

"T-Thank you..I will take them home now..

"

"Sure Mrs. Shen. After all, the winter holidays are approaching as well. Day after tomorrow would have been the last day..

" Knowingly, she had slightly covered her children's ears with her hand. Letting them know that she had taken a leave for them for almost a month wasn't in her plan.

"Alright. That will be better, they won't lack behind the syllabus. Thank you for your cooperation.

" With this, Sierra took both of their bags in her hand and she signaled them to walk towards the main gate.

Sierra talked to them on the light note until they approached the main gate of the school.

Immediately, her eyes flew to the sides of the school, realizing from where the picture must have been clicked.

'Hm..so they were hiding behind that wall...' on the other side, her eyes went straight to see the footpath. She was now aware why she might have not really care about anyone noticing her.

After all, she was taking things too lightly, with the thought that why will someone come behind her? But the tag of being Jack's wife never leaves her head, no matter what.

Yet, now that the threat was already over her head, she knew very well that she had to make changes at a rapid pace. At this thought, her heartfelt unsettled as she sensed herself almost closer to the big trap which she wished to avoid at any cost.

Ailey tugged her mother's hand from down by gaining her attention,

"Mommy, where are we going to go?

"

"Hmm...Where would you both like to go?

" she asked bluntly as the three of them walked out of the car and opened the backdoor for her children. Making them sit comfortably on the back seat while tying the seat belts, she closed the door. Then, she went straight to the driving seat before she sighed in relief on realizing how fast she drove to get here.

"We can go to any mall...or..you can buy us some picture books, won't that be a good idea, sister

" Noah's head rotated in Ailey's direction, who nodded,

"I want something else.

"

"Who said that I'm buying you both something? We will only explore, no shopping. We just bought new toys, books, and clothes for you when the month started!

" Sierra answered when she pressed the engine button to drive in the direction of one of the malls.

While both her children talked and continuously conversed in the backseat, Sierra's heart was tied with the millions that landed in her mind. 'For their security, I will need to arrange something.. before they go out again...'

Since she was aware that making them sit inside the house every time would be a difficult task, the only solution left was to get someone who can safeguard them from any hardship, if it arises.

Taking a deep breath, Sierra's brain worked in all possible ways to have anyone who will, until she found nothing except to contact Jack.

In the end, she took a deep breathe when she saw her bag lying beside her.

"Ailey, please can you take the phone out of mom's purse and call dad?

" she asked when she passed the purse on the back seat.

Obediently, Ailey brought the phone out of her purse before she searched for her father's number and dialed it. She waited, when Sierra said,

"Put it on speaker as well...

"

"O-Okay muma..

" she touched the speaker sign as all of them heard the ring going....but in the end, no one picked it up. There was no answer when Ailey lifted her eyes,

"Muma..do you want me to call again?

"

"Hmm, try once again.

" as per saying, Ailey did dial the number again but received the same answer just like the last one. When Sierra realized that Jack isn't answering their calls, her lips turned into a straight line.

There was no choice of words that came out of her mouth at this point. But then, her heart grew hopeful when she heard the phone ringing.

"Is that daddy?

"

"N-noo....an unsaved number. Muma, do you want me to pick it up for you?

"

....

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