Chapter 19 - ELENA OPENED HER CHILDCARE CENTERTwo years later, Elena invited us to an opening.
Little Lantern Learning Center.
Bright rooms.
Tiny tables.
Books everywhere.
My sons ran inside.
Caleb hugged her.
Owen cried.
Elena did too.
I stood back.
Then she came over.
“Mr. Sterling.”
“Matthew.”
She smiled.
“Still weird.”
Fair.
I said:
“I’m sorry.”
She knew what I meant.
Not for Victoria’s choices.
For almost believing the accusation.
She nodded.
Then:
“You checked.”
“Yes.”
May you like
“Next time, check before handcuffs.”
That sentence stayed with me.
