I Said “No” To Babysitting Once For A Doctor’s Appointment. My Son’s Response: “The Locks Have Been Updated. Please Don’t Come By Right Now.” So I Came Back A Week Later… With A Realtor To Sell The Very House I BOUGHT FOR THEM.

The green paint on the gate was already worn, rusty spots showing through. On the stairs were Isabella’s little sandals. One of them overturned.

As if someone had left them in a hurry. I rang the doorbell. It buzzed dryly.

But no one came out. I rang again. Then a third time.

Nothing. From a second-floor window, I saw the curtain move slightly. Someone peeked out for a few seconds.

Then closed it again. I knew someone was inside. They just didn’t want to see me.

The man beside me said nothing. He just cleared his throat, opened his briefcase, and took out a carefully sealed brown envelope. “If they don’t open up, leave this there,” he said in a low, firm voice.

As if it was something he did every day. I took the envelope. My hands trembling slightly.

I didn’t really know what was inside. Only that he had prepared it based on what I asked for the day before. I went up the steps and left it right next to Isabella’s sandals.

A gust of wind moved the corner of the envelope a little. As I turned, I saw Laura standing in the living room. Arms crossed.

Watching me through the frosted glass. Her gaze was cold. Showing no emotion.

There was no sign of Edward. Maybe he was at the hospital. Or maybe he just didn’t want to face me.

When I turned to leave, the man followed me with steady steps. When we reached the car parked at the corner, he stopped. Took off his dark glasses.

Revealing tired but very sharp eyes. He asked me, his voice soft but firm,

“Are you sure you want to see this through to the end?”

I stood still. Looking at my worn-out shoes.

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