Mara
I blinked awake to a soft hush in the room and the faint weight of the afternoon sun pouring through the curtains. The digital clock on the nightstand glowed 1:03 PM.
Tiffany was still asleep, curled protectively around a slumbering Emma, both of them cocooned in peace. I smiled faintly, careful not to disturb them as I slipped out of bed and padded into the bathroom.
After freshening up, I slipped into a loose-knit top and a pair of soft linen trousers—something simple, something breathable. Comfort mattered more than fashion today. I needed to be grounded.
Downstairs, I found Jennifer and Richard lounging on the couch in the living room, half-absorbed in a movie. The moment they noticed me, they jumped to their feet like guilty teenagers caught skipping chores.
“Good afternoon,
