Mike and the children were at Starry River Villa having breakfast when he told them about Laura's death.
"I know that you are very sad, and I'm very sad too. But, your Grandma is gone. I hope that you can be strong for Mommy because she is extremely sad right now. If you are sad too, your Mommy will be even more in pain." 2
Mike took each child in one arm and hugged them and kissed them on the head.
Layla did not take the news well. She was sobbing, and her lips were quivering. She said weakly, "I want Grandma... I want to look for Grandma..."
Hayden's eyes were wet too, but he was much stronger. Not only did he not cry, but he even hugged Layla. "Layla, don't cry. I'll be with you."
"I don't want to be apart from Grandma. Without Grandma, what would happen to us?" Layla felt as if the sky had been ripped apart. Laura had been the one to send her to school, made delicious food for her, and who had taken her out to play.
"Layla, don't be afraid. Without Grandma, we can still live well. When your Mommy comes back, we will not cry in front of her, okay?" Mike said. "I take you out to play, and we'll have good food in the future."
"I want my Grandma... Where do dead people go when they die? I want to go get her..." Layla rubbed her eyes. Her tears drenched her hands.
Mike saw how sad Layla was. He decided to tell her the truth. It was much better to rip the band-aid off in one go.
"Once a person dies, that's it. Your Grandma will not come back. She has vanished from our lives and this earth."
Layla hugged Hayden and sobbed louder when she heard what Mike said. Mike clutched his forehead with both hands. After a while, he called Wesley.
"Mike, how are the kids?" Wesley had barely asked the question when he heard Layla's sobs.
Mike replied, "Not good. You know how close they were to Laura. How's Avery?"
Wesley looked at Avery and said, "We are at the graveyard right now. Laura has been buried. But Avery did not sleep the entire night. I'm afraid she can't take it."
The moment Wesley said that he saw Avery go limp and fall to the ground.
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