People Mocked Me When My Card Got Declined While I Was Holding My Baby Granddaughter—Then a Voice Behind Me Said, ‘Ma’am. You With the Baby’

“Here, let me buckle her in properly,” he said, reaching for Lily.

I hesitated only a moment before handing her over. He buckled her in with practiced efficiency, checking the straps twice.

“You have kids?” I asked as he started the engine.

He nodded, pulling out of the parking lot smoothly.

“Yeah. Two. My little girl just turned three, and my son is seven.

They keep us very busy.”

I smiled despite my exhaustion. “You must be a good father.”

He chuckled quietly. “I’m trying to be.

Some days are better than others.”

As we drove, he asked about Lily. There was a genuine interest in his questions that made me tell him everything. I told him about Sarah leaving six months ago, about finding that note on the kitchen counter, and about the endless nights without sleep.

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