Despite the heavy tension in my chest, I found myself smiling softly. “She really does.”
“And he said you make delicious pancakes every Sunday morning,” Leo continued casually.
My smile vanished instantly, replaced by a sudden rush of deep emotion. Simon had sat in this room and talked about our daily home life.
“How often did he come to visit you?” I asked, turning to Denise.
Denise hesitated for a brief moment before answering. “Quite a few times over the past few months.”
“Did he always come alone?” I asked carefully.
“Not always,” Denise answered honestly.
“Who came with him?” I inquired immediately.
“An older lady named Mrs. Callahan,” Denise revealed smoothly.
The name hit my memory immediately as a former family connection. “What did she tell you about Leo?”
“Almost nothing,” Denise confessed.
“Nothing at all?” I repeated with surprise.
“Gemma, this is a foster family home,” Denise explained patiently. “We have several children staying here, and we are given only the necessary information we need to care for them properly, not every detail of their private family backgrounds.”
