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Days before the accident, six-year-old Sarah Addams was staying with her Aunt Daisy, her mother's younger sister. Sarah adored her aunt, each visit filled with laughter and cozy warmth. Whenever Mummy and Daddy went on business trips or vacations, they always returned with gifts, and little Sarah would run into their arms, her heart brimming with joy. But this time felt different. Daddy and Mummy hadn't called, not after an hour or even two, leaving a nagging worry in Sarah's little heart.
"Maybe they ran out of gas," Aunt Daisy suggested gently, trying to reassure her. But as the hours passed with no news, the weight of uncertainty settled over them like a thick blanket.
"Have they called yet?" Sarah would ask repeatedly, her bright hazel eyes shining with hope. Aunt Daisy, ever the good sport, entertained her with playful stories and conversations, doing her best to keep the mood light—even as she felt her own heart begin to sink.
One afternoon, while Aunt Daisy prepared tea in the kitchen, Sarah played with her dolls, letting her imagination spin colorful tales of adventure and joy. "Hey, Auntie, how does it feel to be a grown-up?" she asked, looking up with innocent curiosity.
Aunt Daisy laughed, stirring the pot. "Oh, little miss, it's a mix of responsibility and a lot of fun."
"But I don't want to grow up! I want to stay here with you," Sarah pouted playfully, crossing her arms like a tiny ruler.
Aunt Daisy's heart melted at her niece's resemblance to Ava. "Alright, my little miss," she replied with a smile. "How about we bake some cookies together? We can eat them after tea!"
"Yay!" Sarah cheered, her excitement infectious. But before they could get started, the phone rang, slicing through the cheerful atmosphere.
"Mummy! Daddy! They called! Yippee!" Sarah exclaimed, jumping up.
But as Aunt Daisy picked up the receiver, her expression shifted from anticipation to horror. The voice on the other end delivered devastating news—Ava and Marcus had been in a terrible accident. The world around her blurred as the gravity of it all sank in, and she dropped the phone, heart racing.
Unaware of the impending tragedy, Sarah had turned on the TV, drawn to the bright images flickering on the screen. But what she saw sent her little world crashing down—her parents, lifeless, their bodies covered in white sheets.
"Mummy! Daddy!" she whispered, inching closer, confusion replaced by growing panic.
Before Aunt Daisy could react, Sarah let out a scream that echoed through the house, a sound filled with disbelief and heartbreak. "No! Mummy! Daddy!" The pain in her voice shattered Aunt Daisy's heart, knowing her niece had just witnessed an unspeakable truth.
Aunt Daisy rushed to Sarah, wrapping her in a protective embrace as the little girl trembled with sobs. "They'll come back, won't they, Auntie?" she whimpered, hope flickering in her eyes.
"Oh, sweet girl," Aunt Daisy whispered through her own tears. "They'll always live on in our hearts."
As the storm of emotions swept over them, Sarah's eyelids grew heavy, and she eventually drifted off to sleep cradled in Aunt Daisy's arms, her innocent spirit forever touched but not yet tainted by loss.
Aunt Daisy held her close, vowing to protect Sarah and keep her parents' memory alive, promising to ensure the love they shared would remain a bright light in the darkness.
Outside, the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city, a bittersweet contrast to the chaos unfolding within. Aunt Daisy knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to face it alongside Sarah. Together, they would navigate the painful landscape of grief, seeking solace in the strength of their love and the cherished memories of those lost too soon.