He turned, saw me in the car, and smiled.
Smiled.
Not a look of guilt. Not a look of “you caught me.” Just calm recognition. Like I was supposed to be there.
Jake walked toward me, still holding the toddler’s hand.
And in that moment, my fear began to dissolve. Something didn’t add up—in a good way.
The Truth
The woman introduced herself as Carol. She was a retired social worker, and this place—Sunshine House—was a foster care center and transitional daycare for children in crisis.
Some of the kids had been removed from unstable homes. SomContinue reading…