As Mr. and Mrs. Hills guided Beauty and Bruno to the dining table, Mrs. Hills beamed uncontrollably.

"I made this especially for you two. Please, take a seat," she said warmly.

Once they were all seated, Mrs. Hills placed a hand delicately on the edge of the table, tilting her head as if piecing together a puzzle.

"Forgive me, dear," she began, her voice gentle but curious, "but you look so familiar. I feel like I've seen you before, but I can't quite place it."

She ...