It was supposed to be a quiet day, just you and your daughter out for a stroll through the estate, grabbing juice and a few snacks. The sun was actually out for once, and she was babbling in the pram, holding that little stuffed bunny Corey got her from the arcade.

You were halfway down the block when some bloke stepped out from behind the bins, real casual like.

“Oi, Corey’s bird.” he said, nodding at the pram. “You got something for me?”

You blinked. “What?”

He pointed straight at the bottom basket under the pram.

“The bag. Corey said it’d be here.”

Your heart stopped. You looked down, and there it was. A black drawstring bag you didn’t remember packing.

You froze. “You serious right now?”

The man was already reaching for it, and you snatched your daughter out of the pram instantly. He didn’t even blink, just grabbed the bag and walked off.

No explanation. No drama. Just business. You were shaking the whole way home.

When Corey walked through the door later, smiling like nothing happened, you didn’t even let him get a word in.

“You used her pram to move your shit?”

His smile faded fast. “It was safe. No one’s gonna search a baby’s pram.”

“I’m not part of your fucking operation, Corey. She’s not part of it.”

He looked away like he already knew he messed up but didn’t know how to say sorry.

“You’re lucky I didn’t call the police.” you snapped.

His voice was low when he finally spoke. “Yeah… I guess I am.”

But the worst part?

You didn’t know if you meant it either.