Silver squeezed his hand warmly before stepping back.
But before she could say another word, she felt a sudden sharp tug on her other hand.
Louis was clinging tightly to her, his tiny fingers gripping hers so fiercely it almost hurt.
He looked up at her with wide, worried eyes — his tiny mouth trembling.
Silver immediately crouched down to his level, heart twisting.
"It's okay, baby," she whispered.
But Louis shook his head violently.
He didn't say a word, but his body spoke volumes — fear, anxiety, abandonment swirling together inside his little chest.
Silver opened her arms and without hesitation, Louis launched himself into them, wrapping his small arms around her neck and burying his face in her shoulder.
Silver felt the wetness of his tears immediately soaking through her dress.
"Momma," Louis whimpered, voice cracking, "you won't leave me back on the streets... right?"
Silver's throat tightened so much it hurt to swallow.
