Dennis pushed Kevin's hand away and looked up at him, his voice steady and serious. “Grandpa, we're talking about Mom right now. If you want to know about school, we can talk about that after. Let's talk about Mom first, okay?"

Kevin looked away, his expression hard. "There's nothing more to say. I've already told you, she's on a trip. I haven't lied to you."

"That's not true! She didn't go on a trip. The bad guys took her!"

Dennis's lower lip quivered. He climbed off Kevin's lap and stood right next to him, grabbing Kevin's arm with both hands. His eyes were big and watery as he pleaded, “Grandpa, please. I'm begging you. Please save Mom. Bring her home, please?"

He tugged at Kevin's arm, desperate.

Kevin's face stayed unreadable. He reached for his teacup and took a slow sip, trying not to look at Dennis.

“Grandpa, I already know where Mom is. You don't have to keep telling me stories. I know you think I'm just a kid and easy to trick, but I'm not. I can tell when you're lying, and you've been lying to me this whole time.”

He kept repeating the word "lying," and every time, Kevin's frown deepened.

Dennis's tears started falling in big drops, splashing onto the floor.

"But, Grandpa," Dennis choked out between sobs, "I don't care anymore. I don't care that you lied. I just need your help right now."

“Please, Grandpa, please help me. Please bring Mom back. I miss her so much, so, so much. I really want her to come home. I feel so sad without her. I want her to play with me and sleep next to me and tell me bedtime stories..."

The more he spoke, the harder he cried. His eyes were red and swollen. "Grandpa, I miss Mom so much, I can't even play right. I can't sleep Every day feels so hard, and I want to cry all the time. The only reason khaven't is because I thought maybe if I was strong, she'd come back sooner..."

Kevin's expression didn't change. He looked as stern as ever.

Dennis finally just sat down on the floor and hugged Kevin's leg tight. “Grandpa, you always say you love me the most. If you really do, please help me bring Mom home. Everyone says you're amazing, that you can do anything. I know you can do it, Grandpa. Please. I'm begging you..."

It was impossible for Kevin not to feel something. Watching Dennis cry like that made his heart ache. This was the first time Dennis had ever asked for anything so desperately. Usually, as soon as Dennis wanted something, Kevin made sure he got it. Every little wish, no matter what it was, Kevin would make it happen. Dennis never had to throw a fit or beg.

Now, this little boy he'd spoiled all his life was sitting at his feet, crying and begging

for the one thing Kevin couldn't give him. Kevin felt his resolve slipping. He almost

said yes.

But Dennis's request was different from anything else. This was about Isabella Austin.

Getting involved in Isabella's

situation would bring nothing but

trouble to the Lane family. Even

doing nothing, they were alreadyet

feeling the fallout. If they actually stepped in and tried to save her, it would be like jumping into a fire. And they somehow managed to get her out, it would turn into a ticking time bomb for the family, always hanging over their heads, threatening to blow up everything they'd worked for. There was no benefit, only risk.

No matter how much Kevin loved his grandson, he just couldn't agree to this. Not

this time.