Coco stared at Cleora, her eyes rounding in surprise— a mix of emotions swimming through their emerald depths.
"Oh, mama.." She breathed out, the words catching in her throat, her voice shaking as she flashed Cleora a smile. "To think you're considering them like this.. It means you care."
But something in Cleora's expression shifted— the sadness in her eyes deepening, almost like she wished it were otherwise, and it made Coco realize something that sent a flutter of fear through her chest.
"You're thinking about leaving, aren't you?" Coco asked in a breathy whisper.
Cleora's eyes brimmed with tears, showing the conflicting emotions churning inside her, a sight that squeezed Coco's heart.
"I'm thinking about it.." She admitted, voice wavering slightly as she said aloud what they both already knew. "But I don't want to lose you again, my child."
