chair, a blanket over his thin legs. The light caught the dust motes dancing in the air, a slow, sad

ntered, a weak smil

d to see you out

to him. I didn't wast

, I'm getti

imated I'd seen him in years. He sat up a little

. wonderful news. Who is

He was thinking that somehow, a miracle had happened.

rying Sa

n us. Mr. Davies stared at me,

assistant? Th

es

barely speak to anyone. What's brought this on so suddenly?" he asked, his voice a mixt

out asking for anything. She's been there, in the background, holding the firm together while I fell apart. She does

had replaced the broken sadness. He wasn't just looking at the grieving recluse anym

ps. A genuine smile, the first I'd seen in years, spread across

now. "That's a good reason. A very

Seeing that spark of life back in him gave me strength. It

day, they

accounts with Sarah, when the d

a perfect blend of shock, relief, and tearful joy. Olivia

trembling. "You're here! Oh, th

ing me to sweep her up in a tearful reunion. I didn't

stood up quickl

cting. He was just watching, a smug, possessive smirk

alling awkwardly to her sides as I continued to st

gesturing to Olivia and Sophia. "It's a long story. We were t

n Amelia. As she spoke, he took a small step forward, his hand instinctively goi

of the betrayal I had overheard. They weren't even good at hiding it. My gaze flickered from that

a physical thing, a s

hed across her face, quickly replaced by a look of profound hurt. She took

breaking. "Why are you looking at m

was a masterful performance. She looked like a frightened, vul

ching the show, feeling n