Chapter 54

Aurora's POV
The journey to the zoo went smoothly. When we arrived, the sound of monkeys chirping from inside the zoo greeted us with joy. Seeing the children’s enthusiastic expressions as they saw the various animals made me feel happy.
The day was spent walking around the animal enclosures, seeing elephants, lions, and various other animals. I enjoyed every second of seeing how captivated Roland and Ronald were as they watched the animals interact.
In small moments like these, I felt empowered and reconnected with the love and togetherness we had built up over the years. Spending time together not only provided learning experiences for the children, but also strengthened our bond as a family.
As the day began to turn to evening, I knew that this mini-vacation had given us new energy and enthusiasm to face the challenges ahead. Deep in my heart, I felt grateful for these precious moments—which helped me forget the sadness that had hit me for a moment, and replace it with laughter and happiness.
“How about we stay at a hotel tonight?” I suggested, inspired by the joyful mood after spending a day at the zoo.
“Why?” Dante asked, a little surprised but also intrigued by the idea.
“I just wanted a different atmosphere. We can relax without thinking about the daily routine, and it also gives the kids a chance to play without pressure,” I explained, hoping he would understand my desire to create a more special moment for our family.
Seeing the expression on his face, I could feel his mind spinning. Finally, Dante nodded. “Okay, I agree. It seems like it could be fun, and we all need some time to relax,” he added with a smile.
With renewed vigor, I immediately grabbed my phone and booked a room at a nearby hotel. I also booked a room for our babysitter, so they could also rest after a long day of accompanying us. Considering how much work they do, it seemed appropriate to give her some time to relax.
“Now we have a comfortable bed for the night!” I said as I handed my phone to Dante so he could see the details of the reservation I had made.
When we arrived at the hotel, the atmosphere in the lobby made me feel more relaxed. It was filled with warm and cozy decorations, and a fresh scent greeted us as we checked in. Roland and Ronald looked very excited as they jogged around.
“Mom, Mom, Mom!” Ronald shouted as he pointed to the small swimming pool nearby.
I couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. This moment made all the effort I had put in feel worth it. After getting the room key, we walked towards the elevator.
Once we arrived at the room, we were greeted with a beautiful view. The sparkling city view made me excited to see the clock at dusk. We took some time to rest before deciding to explore the hotel further.
By spending quality time with Dante and the kids, enjoying food while telling stories, creating laughter and joy, it felt like the presence of the càng family was close. Roland and Ronald became even cuter and more adorable as they played with the toys I bought.
As the night grew late and the kids started to get tired, we read them stories before going to bed. Seeing their peaceful faces made my heart flutter. In that silence, I could feel that the decision to stay at the hotel was the best way to strengthen our bond as a family.
Before going to bed, Dante and I sat down to discuss, sharing our hopes and dreams for the future. This moment, although simple, seemed to rekindle the spirit and awakening of love that made our family stronger.
This weekend has become a memory that we will remember forever, and I am grateful that we were able to have this precious time together.
In the middle of the silent night, when everyone was asleep, I was still awake with thoughts that would not subside. The sound of Roland and Ronald's soft breathing beside me seemed to remind me of the love that existed, but my mind could not dispel the worry about Roline. My heart felt heavy and restless.
How could I, a mother who gave birth to Roline, be calm when my child was missing? A year had passed without news; every day was a tiring struggle. Memories of her smile, her laughter, and my child's warm embrace were in my mind and never left my mind. "Where is Roline now? What is she doing? Who is she with?" these questions circled around in my head without stopping.
The darkness of the night seemed to remind me of how desperate I was to get information about my daughter's whereabouts. Oh God, please protect her wherever she is. My prayer was uttered in my heart, full of hope and deep pleading. Roline's existence was the only thing that continued to give me hope amidst the busyness and happiness that I was going through.
Every second felt like it was squeezing me, and the frustration and emptiness were getting harder to overcome. I wanted to feel at peace, but the thought of loss made my spirit waver. The thought that Roline might be in an unsafe state, without parents to protect her, made me feel devastated.
However, in the darkness and sadness, I knew I had to stay strong. For Roland and Ronald, and for Roline. They needed their strong and brave mother. I had to fight not only for myself, but also for the future of our family.
I slowly took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. Every time those bad thoughts came, I remembered the happy moments we had made together in the park, at the zoo, and at home. I tried to focus that positive energy as a reminder that Roline must miss us too.