NIXIE’S POV

The school bell rang loudly, echoing across the courtyard.

I stood by the front gates of the preschool, holding a small pink backpack. The evening air felt cool and fresh. There were no black cars today. It was just a normal Monday evening in Milan, filled with parents waiting for their kids.

The doors opened. A crowd of tiny, laughing children poured out into the courtyard.

"Auntie Nixie!"

I smiled instantly, I looked through the crowd and saw her.

Lorna was running toward me as fast as her little legs could carry her. Her denim overalls had a fresh smear of green paint on the knee, and her...