Don't Tell Karen

Karen hadn't returned for another night.

Samantha lay in bed, the pain from her head injury keeping her awake.

Deciding to distract herself, she took out her phone and found a number that had always been in her contacts but never opened, and sent a message: [Yurika, I miss you so much.]

The response was immediate.

[Sammie?]

Samantha replied with just one word: [Yes!]

As soon as the message was sent, the other person called.

Afraid of waking up the two little ones next to her, Samantha quietly got out of bed and made her way to the living room.

The phone had just connected when Yurika's voice, like a burst of firecrackers, came through, "You little brat, so you still know how to contact me, huh? Where have you been for these four years? I thought you either died outside and wouldn't come back!"

As she spoke, she broke into an uncomposed fit of tears.

"Sobs... Do you even realize how much I've missed you? How long I've been searching for you? You heartless little brat, not contacting me