𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 ♡ＦＲＯＺ＄Ｎ

Ｌｏ＄＄

Years ago, in a small but cozy apartment, Layla and Maila were sitting on the floor of the living room, surrounded by toys and coloring books. Layla, with her big curious eyes, looked up at Maila with a serious expression.

"Did mommy love me?" Layla asked softly.

Maila smiled warmly, brushing Layla's hair away from her face. "Of course, sweetheart. Mommy loved you very much."

Layla nodded thoughtfully. "What about my dad?"

Maila hesitated for a moment before answering carefully, "He does love you, in his own way."

Layla pondered this for a moment before her face lit up with another question. "What about Auntie Jasmine?"

Maila chuckled softly. "Yes, she loves you too. A lot."

Layla’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she looked up at Maila. "Do you love me, Auntie Maila?"

Maila’s heart swelled with love as she pulled Layla into a warm embrace. "Of course, my dear. I love you very much."

Layla hugged her back tightly. "I love you too, Auntie."

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in a cocoon of love and warmth. In that moment, the world outside their small apartment faded away, leaving only the bond between aunt and niece—a bond that was unbreakable, even by the challenges and tragedies that life would eventually throw their way.

As the flashback faded, Maila wiped away a tear, the memory of Layla’s sweet voice echoing in her mind. She glanced at Armando, who sat quietly beside her, lost in his own thoughts.

Armando, noticing her silence, turned to her with a concerned expression. "Hey, you okay?"

Maila took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking about Layla."

Armando nodded, his eyes softening with understanding. "You miss her a lot, don’t you?"

Maila gave a small, sad smile. "More than anything. She was my world."

Armando placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It’s okay to miss her, you know. To feel what you’re feeling."