427 SEVEN YEARS OLD

"What happened to you?" Serefina stared at the crying little Hope before her lime green eyes, demanding an explanation from Ariel. 

Today was one of those very rare days when Serefina had time to pick Hope up from her school. And, she found the little girl crying her eyes out until her breathing turned into rasping. 

Ariel, who walked her out of the school gates, was looking at Serefina apologetically and started to speak timidly. 

"I am sorry Mrs. Mason," She started, Ariel knew Serefina as Hope's mother because that was what the papers said. As for Lana she was Hope's sister and would often drive and pick up the little girl if it wasn't Serefina herself, who did that. 

As for the man that Ariel saw a year ago, she had never seen him since their last encounter. 

Just like always, Serefina completely ignored Ariel and walked toward Hope who was still covering her face with her hands.