Serena's POV
I pulled Rancy toward the car, but she dug her heels into the gravel, tears streaming down her chubby cheeks. I'd never seen my daughter this defiant before.
"NO! NO GO!" she screamed, her tiny voice echoing across the perfectly manicured lawn of Manor House. Her little body trembled with emotion as she tried to twist out of my grasp.
My patience snapped. I felt my face harden as I knelt to her level.
"Rancy," I said, my voice dangerously low. "You don't listen to Mommy anymore? Fine. Since you love it here so much, maybe Mommy should just leave without you."
I dropped her hand and turned toward the car, pulling the door open with a sharp tug. It was an empty threat—I'd never leave my baby—but I needed her to understand the gravity of this situation.
Panic
