"I didn't do it." Scarlett mumbles beside me. I give her a confused look. Of course, I know she didn't do it.

"Scar maybe it's best if you finish dinner?" I state more than I ask. She nods and squeezes my shoulder in reassurance before making her way out of the bathroom.

Casey looks a bit confused but she seems to enjoy the bath. I'm not sure if it is wise to bring it up now, but I don't think I'm able to just ignore it.

I walk up to her and sit on the edge of the bathtub, stroking her hair behind her ear. "Casey, I would like to ask you a question." I begin, not wanting her to feel blindsided.

"You have some scars on your body. What happened?" I ask cautiously. She stops playing with the rubber duck, looking at the water in front of her before shrugging.

"Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" I ask softly, earning me another shrug.

I take her hands in mine, getting my sleeves wet but I couldn't care less at this moment. She looks at me intently, a numb expression in her eyes.

"Did someone do this to you?"

Shrug.

I purse my lips together, not sure where to go from here. Who would even be capable of doing this to her? As far as I know, nobody takes care of her except for her grandmother, Scarlett and me. Scarlett didn't do it, I definitely didn't do it. Would her grandmother-

No Lizard don't you dare finish that sentence. Or would she?

I squeeze her hands a bit tighter, taking a deep breath myself. "Was it your grandmother?"I question hesitantly, but I regret it as soon as it leaves my mouth.

Her eyes turn from numb to fear within seconds. She shakes her head rapidly, pulling away her hands from mine.

I furrow my eyebrows as she begins to hit herself. I try to stop her but it is of no use. Before I can even think about it, I'm climbing inside the bathtub.

"You're okay, you're safe. I promise." I try to soothe her as I hold her arms so she can't hurt herself anymore. She starts to cry so I pull her more into me, holding her tight against my chest.

We sit there for what feels like an hour. All I know is that the water feels cold when Scarlett knocks on the door. "Dinner is ready." She mumbles softly. I look at Casey who has seemed to calm down fully.

I get out of the bath in my drenched clothes, taking her with me. I open the door, revealing a distressed Scarlett. She looks utterly confused when she sees me soaking wet. "Could you get me some dry clothes and a towel?" I ask her.

She nods before closing the door, leaving me and Casey. I dry her with a towel, being extra careful around her wounds. I try to identify what could've caused it, but I'm not sure. It's on the tip of my tongue, I eventually decide not to dwell on it for Casey's sake.

Scarlett walks in after Casey is all done and she hands me my clothes. She takes Casey downstairs as I get changed. Once I'm done I look into the mirror, letting out a few sobs. "What am I supposed to do?" I mumble between shaky breaths.

I tell myself to act as if nothing happened, get some dinner, take the girls to bed and have a good conversation with Scar when it's just the two of us. If necessary I can always call my mother for some more advice, she'll know what to do.

One thing is certain, I'll make sure nobody will ever hurt her again.

I put my soaked clothes in the laundry basket, walking up to my room to empty the basket there. I make sure to check my closet and that's when realisation hits me.

"Mommy I can't find my belt!" I hear Rose shout from the room beside us. "Me neither." Scarlett shouts back from the bathroom. It doesn't take long until she barges into my room.

She checks my closet in search of something before turning to me with her hands on her hips. "Lizzie nobody seems to have a belt anymore. Do you know anything about this?" She asks with a raised eyebrow but we both know she already knows the answer.

"I threw all the belts away." I shrug as I button up my blouse. Scar looks at me with wide eyes, letting go of her jeans who almost immediately drops to the floor.

"How am I supposed to wear this?" She mumbles. "You don't. Buy something that actually fits. No more belts in this house!" I exclaim before walking out of the room, getting ready to prepare some breakfast.

"Goodmorning." I mumble at Casey who is curled up on the couch, watching television. She turns around offering me a warm smile before turning back.

I get started on breakfast, making everyone sandwiches and some drinks. It's finished the moment Rose and Scarlett arrive downstairs. I put the plates on the dinner table, Casey running up to me and hugging my leg before walking to the counter.

"You can sit down Casey, I'll get the plates." Scarlett says sweetly. Casey looks at me for confirmation, feeling a bit unsure about the situation. I nod, reassuring her. She nods her head in return before sitting down and we all start to eat our breakfast. "Mommy said we're going shopping today." Rose mumbles after she finished her sandwich.

"I'd really like that Rose, but unfortunately Casey and I have school to attend." I smile sadly at her. "But we can go shopping this weekend?" I try to compromise, earning me a cheer.

The last few days flew by. I've really enjoyed having the company of Casey, Rose and Scarlett and I'm not sure how I'll function when they leave.

I have tried contacting Mia, but it goes to voicemail each time. I also went by the house. It's in the exact same state as we left it when I picked Casey up, so nobody has been there since then.

I don't know how much longer Casey will be staying with me, so I try to remind myself that each day could be the last one. I find it weird to think about her leaving. Not just hurtful, but genuinely weird. Her being here just feels so... Natural.

It feels natural to have her with me, watch movies together, brushing our teeth, do grocery shopping, help her with her homework, cook together and do the dishes. She keeps insisting to do the dishes, but Scar and I came up with a compromise.

The adults will do the dishes but the kids bring them to the counter. Scarlett pointed out how much Rose learns from Casey. She never runs inside the house with her shoes still on, she helps whenever she can and she draws more than she watches television.

Of course, Casey learns a lot from Rose as well. She seems less hesitant to ask for something, her drawings improved massively since she started drawing Rose and she watched new movies. But of course, no movie can beat her all-time favourite, Sing.

She still doesn't know about Scarlett and me. At least I don't think she does. I talked about it with Scar and she agreed that we shouldn't tell her yet. Rose promised to not mention anything or watch movies where we play in.

"We're here," Scarlett mumbles, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turn to look at the two children in the back of the car, both barely able to contain their enthusiasm.

"Lizzie and I have a few rules before we go inside the mall." Scarlett says, looking over at me to see if I agree. I nod. Who would disagree with Scarlett Johansson?

"Rule number one-" Scarlett starts, but Casey raises her hand making me chuckle. "Yes, Casey?" I ask her. She beams us a smile before taking out her sketchbook. Showing me a bunch of drawings.

It takes me a while to get it, but I couldn't be happier when I do. "Yes Casey, those rules still apply." I chuckle as I hand her back the drawings about the rules we agreed upon when she went to the park alone.

Scarlett goes over some more rules which we all agree to. We get out of the car, Scarlett and I wearing sunglasses since we decided to drive to a nearby city. Casey really needs some new things and the local stores didn't have much choice.

"Mommy look at that!" Rose exclaims as she lets go of her mother's hand, running to one of the stores. Scarlett rolls her eyes at me with a smile before running after Rose.

I look down at Casey who is firmly holding my hand. She looks up at me and then at Rose so I walk in their direction, making sure Casey stays close to me since it's a pretty big mall.

I see Rose fitting on a bright pink jacket she definitely doesn't need. Casey hesitantly lets go of my hand and walks up to her. "Casey look! PINK." She squeals with way too much enthusiasm, making us all laugh.

She takes it off and offers it to Casey who reluctantly shakes her head. "But you need a new coat." Rose states in confusion. Scarlett takes the jacket from her. "Not everyone likes pink the way you do." Scarlett smiles.

Rose nods before taking off, running back seconds later with one of the ugliest coats I've ever laid my eyes on. "This one is green, Casey's favourite colour!" She exclaims as she offers it to Casey who immediately takes it with a big smile.

Don't get me wrong, I like green. But this green and the pattern... It's like someone threw up a lime green wheat grass smoothie and used it to fabric this coat.

Casey tries it on, twirling around happily. Scarlett looks at me with wide eyes, trying to hold back her laughter.

"Do you really want that one?" I mumble. Casey nods rapidly.

"Okay then." I mumble.

As long as she's happy, I'm happy.

But no chance she'll wear it in my presence since it makes me wanna puke.