Chapter 97

The sky outside was dull gray, and the wind pressed against the windows in low, eerie groans. Lily stood near the front door, her little hands clasped in front of her. She wore a red hoodie over her dress, her favorite bunny hairpin clipped into her curls. “Why did the accident happen so suddenly?” she asked, her voice so small it barely carried across the room. I looked at her from the kitchen, holding a towel in one hand. I didn't know how to answer. “I’m not sure, sweetheart,” I said gently. “Sometimes… bad things just happen.” She looked down, fidgeting with her sleeves. “Daddy hasn’t come home.” “He’s still at the hospital,” I said. “Watching over Grandma.” Lily's lower lip quivered. “Is she going to die?” “No,” I said firmly. “She’s strong. She’s just very tired right now. But we’ll keep hoping for her to get better, okay?” Lily nodded slowly, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I wanted to distract her, to keep her mind from wandering into those dark places where kids imagine