11

Hardin held June in his arms for almost five minutes until he realized she had fallen asleep and stopped crying.

He lovingly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as he kissed her forehead. "I promise to protect you from any harm," he whispered, carrying her in his arms.

He got up on his feet and laid her gently on the bed, covering her with the duvet. He smiled at her. She looked so beautiful when she was asleep. He could watch her this way without being tired.

His mind finally drifted to that call Maria had placed. Something must have caused June to act like this. A frown suddenly fell on his face at the thought of Maria probably doing something to trigger her.

Seething with anger, he stormed into the living room, “Maria! Maria!!” He called out to her as she rushed from the kitchen into the living room, bowing her head down.

“Maria, what did you do to her? I specifically instructed you not to stress her out,” Hardin bellowed, his voice filled with frustration.

Maria, her eyes dow