Chapter 66

The evening at the restaurant had drained me in ways I hadn’t expected. Sitting across from Susan, watching Lily had stirred something raw inside me. And yet, I had smiled. I had played the calm, composed mother. Outside, the night air was crisp, a soft breeze wrapping around my shoulders like a shawl. I stood near the sidewalk, inhaling slowly. The stars above blinked gently through the light pollution, offering a small sort of peace that felt almost too fragile to trust. Lily stepped up to me, holding her stuffed bunny in one hand. . I turned to see Lily rushing toward me, her little shoes tapping loudly on the pavement, curls bouncing as she ran. My heart softened instantly. I crouched as she threw her arms around me. “Lily, sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I asked gently, brushing a hand over her hair. She pulled back just slightly, eyes wide with that earnest kind of hope only children carry. “Can I go home with you tonight?” she asked in a whisper. There was a lump in my throat before