19. "Don't Go In the Orphanage"

“I don’t need you unless it’s really Vic. I only like my sister Vic! Don’t come here anymore!”

**

“Ben!” Nadia's call for Ben went unanswered, prompting her to turn to Victoria with a mix of confusion and sympathy. "I'm sorry. I think he really cares about Vic."

"It's okay. Can I try talking to him?"

Nadia gave a quick nod, allowing Victoria to step outside in search of Ben.

While she had anticipated some of this, Victoria was still taken aback by the reality of the situation. She couldn't help but feel guilty that the child was upset because of her.

"Ben!"

Worried that he might have wandered off too far, Victoria scanned the area and spotted a small figure huddled under a tree behind the orphanage.

She felt a wave of relief wash over her the moment she recognized Ben.

Instead of calling out to the crying figure with his head in his lap, she quietly went and sat down beside him.

Ben lifted his head at the sound of footsteps, and his expression changed to surprise when he saw that it w