The morning light was soft when Maya stirred, her body heavy with fatigue and memory. Jamie had fallen asleep again sometime after Damien left, still curled beside her, his hand tucked near hers—as if afraid she might vanish if he let go.
A soft knock stirred him awake. Moments later, Ms. Janice stepped into the room with a gentle smile, a bag of fresh clothes in one hand and a warm, homemade casserole in the other—just in time for lunch.
“Thought you two might be hungry,” she said kindly, setting the food down on the small table near the window. “Brought Jamie something clean to change into, too.”
Maya’s throat tightened. “Ms. Janice… thank you. You didn’t have to…”
“I did,” she cut in gently, brushing Maya’s hair back from her forehead. “You’re family now, sweetheart. And family show
