“Are you truly my mother’s friend? How is she doing in prison? I miss her so much.” A soft shimmer of tears welled up in Eloise’s eyes. The child seemed to possess an understanding of her mother’s incarceration, a fact that took Celeste by surprise. This revelation was unexpected, indicating a level of comprehension in Eloise that Celeste hadn’t anticipated. Celeste had even mentally rehearsed a gentle fabrication, assuming the child was unaware of her mother’s arrest. It now seemed likely that Eloise’s father had…

“Your mother is doing fine,” Celeste reassured her. “She has entrusted you to my care. From now on, you will live with me, alright? I will treat you as my own.” She wasn’t certain if Eloise would agree to come with her. Her only recourse was to convey sincerity, born of gratitude for Joyce.

Eloise paused, a flicker of consideration in her eyes, before finally nodding her head. “I’m willing to go with you if you are truly my mother’s friend. Life here has been difficult. The other children bully me constantly. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“Don’t worry, Eloise,” Celeste said softly. “I will follow all the necessary procedures and work with the director to bring you home with me.” Celeste reached out a gentle hand and tenderly brushed Eloise’s hair away from her face. Eloise’s gaze faltered for a moment, as if words were on the tip of her tongue but remained unspoken.

“Is there something you would like to tell me, Eloise?” Celeste prompted gently.

“It’s…” Eloise’s eyes dropped, avoiding Celeste’s gaze as she asked hesitantly, “Will you hit me if I make a mistake in the future?”

Her innocent question struck Celeste with a sudden pang of sorrow. Despite their first encounter, Eloise’s apprehension spoke volumes, hinting at harsh treatment endured at the hands of her father or others. What a poor little girl. Eloise was a stark reminder of her own vulnerability in the past. Kindness was a rare commodity when she was weak; instead, she faced scorn, insults, and even physical violence. This wasn’t just a memory from prison.

Instinctively, Celeste reached out and drew Eloise into a comforting embrace. “I will never hit you, Eloise. You have nothing to be afraid of.”

“Okay,” Eloise replied, her voice surprisingly steady. “I will go with you as long as you promise not to hit me and that you will give me something to eat.” Taking Eloise’s hand, Celeste led her toward the director’s office. She explained the situation, initiating the formal adoption process.

The process progressed smoothly, facilitated by her close friendship with Eloise’s mother and having all the necessary documentation. By the end of the afternoon, everything was finalized. The director personally ensured Eloise was bathed and dressed in clean clothes before escorting them to the door. “Ms. Morin, Eloise is a very well-behaved and easy child to care for. I trust you will have a wonderful relationship.”

Holding Eloise’s hand, Celeste deliberately surveyed their surroundings before departing the orphanage. Only after confirming they were unobserved did she help Eloise into the car.

Annie went to Celeste’s house the following evening to welcome Eloise. Celeste personally cooked dinner for them. She didn’t know what Eloise liked to eat, so she prepared a few of the dishes Lucian used to love. After all, their palates probably wouldn’t differ too much. They sat and chatted the evening after dinner. The vibe was cozy and cheerful. Eloise was understandably shy, and she exhibited mild signs of anxiety and was not inclined to speak much. However, with Celeste and Annie’s patient guidance, her condition gradually began to improve.