They reached Alex's home after some time, Phil was left to wait in the car while Alex and Mia went inside the house.
They met Alex's mother and Emily preparing dinner together, Alex left to his room to go wash up while Mia stayed with his mother downstairs.
Several minutes passed before Alex came down; his mother told him that Mia had already left, as she couldn't wait to have dinner with them.
"Big brother, you're now an explorer? That's so cool!" Emily exclaimed with sparkling eyes as she looked at Alex. Alex smiled and rubbed her hair before looking at his mother.
His mother currently had a conflicted expression as she stared back at him. After a while, she asked Emily to go check something in the kitchen.
"Okay, Mom!" Emily answered and ran off, leaving Alex alone with their mother.
"Mom…" Alex tried to speak, but was cut off by his mother, who suddenly walked toward him and hugged him. Her shoulders were trembling, and her breathing was heavy.
