"Welcome home, Tim," Mary said, her voice filled with affection as she embraced him tightly.
Tim hugged her back, savoring the familiar comfort. "It's good to be home, Aunt Mary."
As they pulled apart, Tim noticed Dana standing nearby, her gaze fixed on him. He could feel her eyes on him. He chose to ignore her. During the first week of their mission, he had tried multiple times to approach her, to bridge the gap between them, but she had treated him like the plague. Each cold shoulder and dismissive glance had cut deeper than the last. The painful ache in his chest became a permanent companion.
With bitterness, he realized that she had already made a decision for both of them. There was no point in trying to change her mind if she refused to even speak with him. As much as it pained hi
