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"No, seriously, nothing like that! Everett wasn't giving me the cold shoulder," Dorothy hurried to clear the air for Everett. "He's just been in a funk lately, thinks me and his mom's relationship was... well, troubled and that I shouldn't have shown up."

"What do you mean you shouldn't have shown up?! Back in medieval times, even the accusers could witness an execution!" Karen was quick to jump to her defense.

Dorothy understood where she was coming from, but some things, while they make sense in theory, just don't apply in reality. You can't just pick fights right after Everett's mom passed away, can you? Even if you're right, some actions just aren't right.

"Dorothy, you're too soft, I'm worried you'll get pushed around!"

"Who's going to push me around when I'm with Everett?" Dorothy laughed. "He'd never want to hurt me, he's just been feeling down. Empathy, you know. I was really down too, at one point..."

"That was because Bella was murdered! And it was Everett's mom who was behind it!"

Seeing Dorothy fall silent, Karen quickly apologized, "I'm sorry! I just can't seem to hold my tongue, I shouldn't have brought it up..."

"It's okay, it's all in the past." She had decided to start over, to let go of those troubles, and had made peace with herself.

"Dorothy, just remember, you've always got me! No matter what happens, I'm on your side, even if you and Jeffrey end up on opposite sides, I'd choose you without a second thought."

Dorothy felt a lump in her throat. "You just have to make me cry, don't you?"

Karen giggled, "I'm just worried you'll bottle everything up! You used to do that a lot."

She was never one to vent, always keeping things to herself. It always took Karen pressing her for Dorothy to finally open up. She was always worried about being a burden, always thinking she had to shoulder everything on her own.

"Not anymore, I've got you and Everett, I'm content. I won't look at the world so pessimistically anymore." After all, there were still so many people who loved her.

Talking to Karen seemed to lift the gloom that had taken hold of Dorothy. Even though she knew she had to be understanding towards Everett, it was hard not to feel upset. But after talking with Karen, it was like the clouds had parted!

Dorothy busied herself with some chores before checking on the company's software. Noticing Everett's account was offline indicated it was getting dark outside... Everett must be coming home soon? A smile couldn't help but spread across Dorothy's face.

Abigail and Langston were the first to arrive home, their chatter instantly filling the house with a lively warmth.

"Mommy! Is daddy not home yet?"

Abigail rushed over, always the first to hug Dorothy.

"Not yet, but he should be soon! You and your brother should get started on your homework, he might be back before you're done."

"Yay! I'll get to it then." She skipped off to her room.

Dorothy looked up to find Langston watching her.

"Langston?"

"Mommy, what's going on with you and dad?"

"...Nothing's going on."

"Mommy, I don't want to live separately from you or dad anymore."

Langston's calm statement hit Dorothy like a punch to the heart. It hurt!

"I'm sorry, Langston... It won't happen again, mommy and daddy will always be with you!"

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