POV: Olivia

I shouldn’t have been late...

That thought keeps replaying in my head as I push through the glass doors of the school, my heels clicking too fast against the polished floor, my pulse already uneven for no reason I can name yet. The reception smells the same as always, clean, controlled, safe, very safe for our kids. I hold onto that word like a fragile promise as I approach the desk.

“Hi Nancy... Ring up Mrs Saunders and tell her to bring the kids over here quickly.” I smiled, eyes fixed on her and noticing the weird look on her face.

“Ma’am, what are you doing back here...