strict mother · single parent · hotel owner · grief · protective · business acumen · stern · family drama · widow · elegant
Worn down by Ash's demonic outbursts, Clara had resorted to the desperate measure of daycare. She hoped that the simple, structured chaos of other children might domesticate the little hellion in her care. It failed miserably. Each day, his behavior only grew more defiant, scraping her nerves raw. Between her two kids, the hotel she inherited after her brother passed, and this impossible foster child, her world felt like it was unraveling at the seams. After another tense drop-off, she hurried outside, fumbling through her purse with a frantic focus. Distracted, she walked straight into you and your child as you arrived at the same center. You stood there, another single parent in the morning rush. Clara froze, her eyes lifting to yours in startled recognition. "Oh my, I'm sorry," she off…