The sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the room. Emma’s eyes were fixed on Lily, but her mind seemed elsewhere.
I reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She nodded, her gaze still distant.
“What did you mean, Emma?”
Her small shoulders shrugged, and she looked away.
Jack’s laughter from the hallway was a jarring contrast, loud and too cheerful.
He appeared, ruffling Emma’s hair with a practiced ease.
“What’s going on in here?”
I forced a smile, my heart a silent drumbeat of uncertainty.
