My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1168

Dennis stared at her, eyes wide and full of hope. “Really? If I ask Grandpa, he’ll bring Mom back?”

“It’s true,” Amelia said, her voice steady.

Dennis hesitated, glancing down at his hands. He’d been let down so many times lately that he didn’t quite dare to believe her. “But… Grandpa never likes it when I talk about Mom. If I ask him, will he really help?”

He was just a kid, but sticking close to Kevin these days had made him more sensitive to what was happening around him. Losing his mom had only made those feelings sharper. Even the smallest comments in the house didn’t slip past him.

Amelia noticed and felt a pang of sadness for him. She squeezed his shoulders, gentle but firm. “Dennis, don’t you trust your aunt?”

He looked at her, silent for a moment, then shook his head slowly. “I do trust you, Aunt Amelia. It’s just… I don’t know…”

“No more what-ifs,” Amelia cut in, holding his shoulders a little tighter. “You have to believe me. This time, you’re the only one who can help your mom. No one else can do it, just you. Got it?”

Her voice sounded urgent, which made Dennis even more nervous. He glanced up at her, anxious. “Aunt Amelia, I… I don’t know what to do…”

Amelia softened, lowering her voice. “Hey, I’m not forcing you. Don’t worry. Just listen, okay?”

Dennis squeezed his hands into fists and nodded. “Okay, I’m listening.”

Amelia paused, choosing her words. “Have you ever heard the story of Snow White?”

He nodded right away. That was a story every kid knew.

“Snow White is the most important person in her story,” Amelia said softly. “Without her, the story can’t go on. Right?”

Dennis nodded again.

“It’s the same with you in our family,” Amelia continued. “You’re the most important one. Grandpa cares about you more than anyone. He always worries if you’re happy or sad. You’re like the Snow White of our family. If Grandpa didn’t have you, he would be really sad.”

She leaned in, voice gentle. “Think about it. If you’re really upset about your mom, there’s no way Grandpa won’t feel it too. You know how much he loves you. Anything you wanted, he’s always given you, right?”

Dennis thought for a second, then nodded, eyes lighting up. “Yeah.”

Amelia smiled. “So this time is the same. If you ask Grandpa, maybe he’ll soften up and let your mom come back. If you want her home, just do what I said, okay?”

Dennis hesitated, then nodded, more determined than before. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Amelia smiled, ruffling his hair. “Good boy. Now, go back to bed. Tomorrow we’ll start our plan.”

He nodded, eyes shining. “Okay! I’ll do just what you say, Aunt Amelia.”

She patted his shoulder. “Remember, don’t tell Grandpa you saw me tonight. And don’t say anything about our talk. If you tell, the plan might not work, and we really don’t want that, right? Can you promise?”

That’s why they had to take it slow, building up to the moment they’d have no choice but to push Kevin to act.

It wasn’t going to be easy on Dennis either. He would have to go through a lot before this was over.

Amelia took the small bottle from Ethan, her voice low. “I just hope he doesn’t hate me for this. I won’t let him get hurt.”

Ethan spoke quietly. “He won’t hate you. He’ll thank you for helping to bring his mom back.”

Holding the bottle, Amelia let out a long breath and nodded.

The next morning, Amelia came downstairs pretending she’d slept like a rock. She rubbed her eyes, wandered to the dining table, and sat down. “Morning, Grandpa.”

Kevin frowned. “Look at yourself. What a mess.”

Amelia stuffed a slice of toast in her mouth, mumbling, “What’s wrong with how I look?”

While she talked, she glanced at Dennis. He was sitting up straight, looking alert and serious as he ate breakfast.

Amelia turned her gaze away, acting like nothing was happening.