The officer looked Naomi over, frowning slightly as she launched into a lecture. "As a mother, you need to keep better track of your child. This world isn't safe. He's fine this time, but what if it hadn't gone that way?"
"Understood. Thank you, officer." Naomi took it in stride.
Whatever else was true, Julian was still her son.
From his corner, Julian watched Naomi's expression closely, a flicker of satisfaction sparking in his chest.
A second later, that satisfaction curdled into something closer to regret.
Maybe I took this too far.
"Take him home. Be more careful don't let this happen again," the officer added, softening now that Naomi had owned it without excuses.
Naomi nodded, didn't spare Ethan a glance, and took Lily's hand to leave.
Watching Naomi walk away without so much
