Hours had passed since Tristan went to bed, his laughter and excited chatter replaced by the hush of the house. Dinner had felt warm, almost normal, like something borrowed from a life neither Cassie nor Franklin was sure they were allowed to have.
Yet the boy's innocent declaration lingered in the air long after he disappeared into his room.
No one had known how to respond. Not even Franklin.
The silence had followed them like a shadow until Franklin finally spoke.
"About what Tristan said earlier…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Don't take it seriously. I know you're still healing."
Cassie nodded, a quiet sigh slipping from her chest before she could stop it.
The mention of marriage had struck something raw inside her, an old wound she had spent years tryin
