The Face of Regret

The mall buzzed with the usual Saturday afternoon chaos. Sylvie pushed a shopping cart through the crowded aisles of the office supply store, her list clutched in one hand while Maya, Jonah, Willa, and Sadie debated which notebooks looked best.

"Mom, do we really need three-ring binders?" Jonah held up two different sizes. "Can't we just use regular folders?"

"The school supply list specifically s