Leon Kennedy

Chapter XXVIII

"Mom, where have you been?" Adam asked the moment Ada opened the door.

He was sprawled on the couch, leaning against a pillow, his newest tablet glowing in front of his face. Leon had bought it last week. Ada clicked her tongue mentally. I should stop Leon from buying these kids too many gadgets. They'll forget what fresh air feels like.

"Nowhere, sweetie," Ada replied softly. She walked over and kissed his forehead, brushing his hair aside. "Did you eat lunch?"

Adam nodded without looking up.

"You're usually not out in the afternoon, Mom," he added, his voice flat but observant.

Ada froze for a heartbeat. Adam wasn't usually this talkative. Leon's influence, clearly. "I just... had something important to address," she said carefully, turning toward the stairs.

"Was it Dad?" Adam asked casually, as if inquiring about the weather.

Ada stopped, startled, and spun around. "Why would you think that?"

Adam shrugged, eyes still glued to the tablet. "You're not your usual self today. It's noticeable."

"I beg to disagree," Ada said, though her voice betrayed a slight crack. "I'm always like this."

Adam finally stood, stretching. "Keep telling yourself that, Mom." He walked toward the hallway. "I'll be in the game room. Leona was looking for you—she's inside your walk-in closet playing with your dresses."

Of course she is. Ada sighed.

Adam left, and Ada watched him go, chest tightening slightly. Did I really change? When did that happen?

Her phone buzzed.

From: Leon
To: Ada

I'll cook tonight.

Ada stared at the message for five long seconds.

The nerve of him—after letting Ashley cling to him like that. After smiling at her. He didn't even realize I was standing behind the agents.

Or maybe he did—and pretended he didn't.

Ada shoved her phone into her bag and hurried upstairs.

Her bedroom door was wide open. Her walk-in closet too.

Normally, she would have stormed in, scolding whoever broke her rules. But her limbs felt heavy today. And she could hear soft humming inside.

Ada had a rough upbringing. She hadn't grown up with these luxuries her children now enjoyed. She didn't know, truly, how to take care of children. If they were fed, safe, and happy, she considered that enough. Her mind wandered to Leon—did he have this? Did he grow up with a family? She paused at her own thoughts, remembering the background check she had done on him after Raccoon City. She was fairly certain Leon had suffered through a rough childhood as well.

Ada walked toward the closet, hearing small shuffling noises. She peeked through the half-opened door and found Leona sitting in the middle of the carpet—surrounded by Ada's dresses like a tiny queen on a cherry-red throne.

The little girl had one of Ada's black silk gloves on her left hand and was attempting to pull on the other, tongue poking out in concentration.

Leona froze mid-pose when she saw her mother.

"...Hi," she whispered, as if caught stealing a national secret.

Ada leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "And what are you supposed to be?" she asked, her tone stern.