Chapter 16 ''Baby''

• Mrs. Stanford’s stern demeanor melted away as she watched her daughter’s raw pain. Her own heart ached with the realization of the struggles Bethany had endured. “How will I face Dad?” Bethany’s voice was muffled by her tears and the growing desperation in her tone. “What will he say when he finds out that his long-term best friend’s son and I didn’t work out? What will they think of me?”
• “Don’t you worry about that,” Mrs. Stanford said softly, her voice filled with empathy. She wrapped her arms around Bethany, gently rubbing her back and through her hair. “I’ll fix this for you,” she promised, her tone suggesting she was already deep in thought, searching for a solution.
• After a few minutes of comforting her daughter, Mrs. Stanford took a deep breath. “Get up, Beth. We’re going home.”