Chapter 203

Leila

After cleaning up the penthouse and putting everything away, I headed down the hallway toward the family room. The children were playing Chess with Addie again.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, sitting on the small sofa along the wall.

It was already time to think about remodeling again. Sirena was too big for the rocking horse now, and Jase had outgrown it a while back. They were growing up too fast. And if they went away with Raven, I was sure to miss the rest of their short childhood, too.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Sirena sat beside me and held my hand.

I pulled her onto my lap and held her close. “Nothing, baby doll. Mommy’s just thinking.”

“What about?” she asked, too bright for her young years.

I smiled, kissing her cheek. “Nothing, baby. Everything’s fine.” I gave her another hug and then set her down. “Why don’t you play Chess with Addie and Jase while I talk to Daddy?”

She nodded, a crease forming between her eyes. “Okay, Mom.” Then she hurried over and slid onto Jase’s lap. H