A yellow cab pulled up to the curb a few feet away, its bright rooftop light glowing through the drizzle.

I raised my free hand, waving it urgently.

“Mariana, wait,” Jonathan begged, reaching his hand out across the distance between us.

The cab doors unlocked with a loud, metallic click.

I opened the heavy back door and ushered Liam and Chloe inside, pushing them onto the vinyl seat.

As I turned to follow them, Jonathan’s hand clamped down on the edge of the cab door.

His knuckles were white against the wet metal, blocking me from sliding inside.

He leaned in, his eyes wide and desperate, while Rebecca stood just behind him, her phone screen lighting up with a call from the office.

“Let go of the door, Jonathan,” I said, my voice trembling but cold.

The rain was dripping from his dark hair, running down his sharp cheekbones.

“Just give me five minutes, Mariana,” he pleaded.

Inside the cab, Liam started to cry, his small hand reaching for my coat.

Chloe huddled close to her brother, her wide eyes reflecting the yellow streetlights.