“I know, sweetheart,” Brianna said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. “But this is all we can afford right now. I promise, I’ll make it up to you when I can.” The words felt hollow even to her, and her children’s unhappy expressions only deepened her guilt.
Lucy huffed, shaking her head. “It’s not fair, Mommy. Why can’t Adrian get something else? It’s his birthday!” Her voice trembled slightly, and Brianna’s chest tightened as she tried to think of a way to defuse the situation.