After I sent the map, the reply came. I shook the numbness from my legs and walked out.
"Sister-in-law, you took forever."
Daisy hooked her arm through mine and steered me back toward the house without stopping.
The moment I stepped through the door, Leah snatched my phone from my hand and pulled me toward the card table.
"Zoey, we'll teach you if you don't know how to play. It's New Year's—what's the point of staring at your phone all day?"
The automatic mahjong table kept spinning. Every few minutes, my eyes drifted to the wall clock.
"It's already eleven. Maya must be hungry. I'm going to go find her."
The second I stood up, my mother-in-law swept in from the kitchen with a plate of fruit and pressed me back onto the stool.
"Zoey, you take care of that child by yourself all year—you're exhausted. Today, just relax. Don't worry, Maya won't starve. There are snacks everywhere."
I looked at Austin, sprawled on the couch with his phone game. "Call Maya. Ask where she is. Tell her to come back once she's had enough fun."
He didn't even glance up. "Zoey, you need to learn to let go. It's better for Maya's development. You can't keep the kid glued to you twenty-four-seven."
Seeing my expression darken, Jessica scolded him half-heartedly.
"Zoey, don't stress. Those kids will come running the second they smell food. No need to worry."
The phone on the side table kept buzzing.
Annoyed by the interruption, Austin reached over and powered it off.
The clatter of mahjong tiles grated on my nerves.
I made an excuse about my lower back aching and stood up.
The moment I moved toward the door, my mother-in-law intercepted me.
"Zoey, if you can't sit still, go check out Jessica's place. She just built a karaoke room—have her take you to sing a few songs."
She shot Jessica a look, signaling her to follow me out.
Looking at their faces—every single one hiding something, terrified I'd go searching for my daughter—I gave up. I dropped onto the couch, cracking sunflower seeds and picking at the fruit.
When the clock struck twelve, the dread in my chest grew heavier.
In my previous life, this was exactly when all the children came back.
All except my daughter.
This time, I'd prepared in advance. Would Maya come back with them?
Chatter erupted outside the door.
"See? The kids are back."
My mother-in-law hurried over with a steaming plate of fried food.