"I'll head upstairs and check on Layla." Chad wanted to help Elliot coax Layla.

His relationship with Layla was not too bad even though it was not as good as Layla's relationship with Mike. However, he felt that his words would have some level of persuasion in a situation where neither Avery, Hayden, or Mike was around.

Upstairs, Mrs. Cooper opened the door with the spare key.

The room was in such a mess that it looked as if a hurricane had just ravaged the place.

Layla was sitting on the bed with her hands hugging her knees. Her cries were no longer as loud as before but were still depressingly hoarse.

Mrs. Cooper could not blame her for what she did.

"Don't cry, Layla. Hayden told me before he left that he'd come and pick you up next time." Mrs. Cooper walked to the bed and used a tissue to wipe the tears from Layla's face. "Trust him, okay?"

"I don't trust him anymore. He said that I can go with them as long as I insisted on being with Mommy." Layla cried so much that she was