I tucked the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “Stay here one second.”
She grabbed my hand, weak but urgent. “He asked me not to tell you. Said he didn’t want you worrying while you were away.”
Even then, cold and hurting, she was still trying to protect me.
I leaned close. “Don’t tell him I’m home yet. Promise me.”
She nodded. I kissed her forehead, slipped back out, and closed the door without a sound.
An hour later I walked in again, this time loud and cheerful, shopping bags rustling like nothing had happened.
Ward was in the kitchen pouring coffee. “Hey, you’re early,” he said, smiling like it was any other day.
“Finished faster than I thought,” I answered, matching his tone. “Everything okay here?”
“Yeah, all good.”
“And Mom? She sleep alright?”
