Finally, after what felt like an unnecessarily long wait, the sound of a car arriving outside made everyone turn toward the entrance of the garden. Conversations gradually died down, and Bella instinctively straightened, her eyes fixed on the path leading toward the house. Even Jay stopped pacing for a moment, his curiosity immediately returning.
Leo appeared a few moments later.
But he wasn't alone.
At first, nobody noticed the small figure walking behind him.
The child stayed almost completely hidden behind Leo's long legs, taking tiny, hesitant steps whenever Leo moved forward and stopping whenever he stopped. One small hand was tightly gripping the back of Leo's trousers, as though letting go would somehow make all the unfamiliar people around him come closer. His little fingers were curled so tightly into the fabric that his knuckles had turned white.
Leo glanced down at him.
