Chapter 23 The idea was dark , but the thought lingered . After all , Helen had already helped take down someone like Mr. Bayou . What was stopping her from turning that newfound power toward her own life ? Just as the thought solidified in her mind , a small voice interrupted her . " Mommy ? " Helen blinked and turned to see her daughter , Zoe , standing in the doorway of the living room , rubbing her sleepy eyes . The little girl's dark curls were a messy halo around her head , and she clutched her stuffed bunny to her chest , its worn ears flopping to the side . Zoe's pajamas were a little too big , the sleeves hanging down past her hands , making her look even smaller than she already was . " Hey , sweetie . " Helen forced a smile , kneeling down and opening her arms . " What are you doing up ? " Zoe toddled over , her little legs moving quickly as she rushed into her Chapter 23 mother's arms . 20 Yousheng Helen pulled her daughter into a hug , the warmth of Zoe's small body grounding her , pushing the darker thoughts away for the moment . " I couldn't sleep , " Zoe mumbled into her mother's shoulder , her voice soft and muffled . " The rain is too loud . " Helen sighed softly , stroking Zoe's hair as she rocked her gently . " I know , honey . The rain can be noisy sometimes . But it's just water , nothing to be afraid of . " Zoe pulled back just enough to look up at her mom with her wide , curious eyes . " But what if it gets too loud and wakes up the sky ? " Helen chuckled softly , brushing a stray curl away from Zoe's forehead . " The sky is always awake , sweetheart . That's why it rains , so the clouds can play . " Zoe's face lit up with a small smile , her worries fading as she considered the idea . " The clouds are playing ? " " Mmhmm , " Helen nodded , her heart aching with a bittersweet tenderness . " They're just having fun . And when the rain falls , it's like the clouds are laughing . " Zoe giggled at that , snuggling closer to her mother . " That's silly , 14.05 % 13 163 Chapter 23 Mommy . " Helen smiled , but there was a heaviness behind it . Zoe was so innocent , so untouched by the harshness of the world . She didn't know about the fights between her parents , didn't understand the things Helen had done - or was planning to do . - Zoe just saw the world as a place where clouds played and laughed , where her mother could make everything better with a few soft words and a hug . " Do you want to come sit with me for a little while ? " Helen asked , her voice soft as she kissed the top of Zoe's head . Zoe nodded , her grip on her bunny tightening as she shuffled over to the couch with her mother . Helen lifted her onto the couch and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders . Zoe tucked her legs under her , her big brown eyes still wide with curiosity as she glanced at the TV , though she was too young to understand the news . " Mommy , " Zoe said , her voice small and sleepy , " why are you watching the news ? " Helen hesitated , unsure how to answer . " Just keeping up with some 0.31.16 % 13.160 Chapter 23 grown - up things , sweetie . " Zoe frowned thoughtfully , then leaned in closer , resting her head on Helen's shoulder . " Does the news make you sad ? " 11 785 Wouchers Helen's heart tightened in her chest . She looked down at her daughter , wondering how such a small child could sense so much . " Sometimes , yes . But not always . " Zoe seemed to mull that over for a moment , her little fingers playing with the edge of the blanket . " Daddy makes you sad too , doesn't he ? " The question caught Helen off guard , and she felt a lump rise in her throat . She didn't want to lie to Zoe , but how could she explain the complicated feelings she had toward Jonah ? How could she explain the fights , the distance , the anger ? } " Sometimes , " Helen said carefully , her voice soft . " Daddy's going through something , and it's hard for him to be the way he used to be . " Zoe's little brow furrowed . " But he yells a lot . " Helen closed her eyes for a moment , hating that Zoe had noticed . " Yes , he does . But that's not your fault , okay ? It has nothing to do with you , 47 22 % 131653 Chapter 23 sweetheart . " 1 Zoe looked up at her mother , her eyes full of quiet understanding . " I wish Daddy didn't yell . " Helen pulled her daughter closer , hugging her tightly . " I know , baby . I wish that too . " They sat there for a while , the sound of the rain tapping against the window as the only background to their quiet moment . Zoe's small body relaxed against her mother's , her eyelids growing heavier as she fought sleep . " Mommy , " Zoe murmured , her voice barely above a whisper , " you're still my best friend , right ? " Helen felt a soft smile tug at her lips , despite everything . " Always , Zoe . I ' ll always be your best friend . " Zoe's eyes fluttered closed , and Helen continued to hold her , rocking gently as her daughter finally drifted off to sleep . The warmth and innocence of Zoe's presence wrapped around Helen like a fragile cocoon , but it didn't shield her from the reality that loomed just beyond this moment of peace . As Zoe's breathing slowed , deep and steady , Helen's mind wandered back to her earlier thoughts . 63 84 % 13:16 Chapter 23 11 ZAR ( Vashers Working for Delilah had given her a sense of control , a glimpse into a world where she didn't have to be powerless again . She had taken a step into something darker , more dangerous . But maybe that was the only way she could reclaim her life , and more importantly , protect Zoe from the man Jonah had become . مر Helen looked down at Zoe's peaceful face , brushing her fingertips gently across her daughter's cheek . For Zoe's sake , she would do whatever it took to keep her safe . No matter what that meant . The rain outside had lightened to a soft drizzle , but the thoughts swirling in Helen's mind were heavier than ever . She kissed Zoe's forehead and whispered , " I love you , baby . I'll make sure you're okay . " Carefully , she stood , lifting Zoe in her arms and carrying her to her small bedroom . She tucked her daughter into bed , pulling the blanket up to her chin and placing her stuffed bunny beside her . As Helen stood in the doorway , watching Zoe sleep , she made a silent VOW . 80.43 % 13 170 Chapter 23 No matter what , she would find a way to keep her daughter safe . Even if that meant stepping further into the shadows with Delilah . REDENS She quietly closed Zoe's bedroom door , her heart set . There was no going back now .