d in Amelia's ears long after he had gone. She stood still for a moment, her fingers brushing over the back of the chair he had occupied for a snappy

ion. The clinking of ceramic was the only sound filling the room, accompanied by the hum of the

me the sound of sma

ing her schoolbag along the f

tle girl's expectant face. Hazel was barely seven, with her

ently, kneeling to meet Hazel's

s pushed in

holding with pride, stick figures holding hands beneath a bright sun, a house with smoke c

hug, inhaling the scent o

this is beautiful, darling. I'm sure Daddy

all should

I hope he makes it t

only with the innocent honesty of a child who wanted nothing more than

ntly, hmm? And when your birthday

ed and skipped off toward the door. Amelia followed behind, grabbing H

listened, smiling, though her thoughts drifted back to Adrian. She remembered the way he had responded that morning when she men

es. Watching her daughter run into the building with her backpack bouncing made her both proud

lly handle shopping, but Amelia found comfort in the simple act of choosing vegetables and smelling ripe fruit. It groun

e brioche. Even if he had barely touched his toast this morning, s

ly across the living room. Amelia placed the groceries in

l on a framed photo by the desk: the three of them smiling on a rare holiday at the beach. Adrian's arm had been looped around her shoulders, his

ushed the edge

t Adrian go?"

She quickly straightened, pulling it fr

s cheerful voice

ndered if that sigh was out of t

eeted, splaying her rig

ick up my call. What's up again? And

le played o

l. How are you? Leo

e, but don't eva

, saying nothing

, you sound like

ed. Clara knew

ere is still a lot

do," Clara teased knowingly. Then her tone softene

tly, though it did

next

at the boutique minutes before lunch. W

rolled

utique today was

ra interrupted, "how are

a chu

sales representatives walki

t. There is this Versace gown I want to get

gave in, "but I ain't

olish sometimes, this ritual of cooking meals Adrian rarely ate at home, but she couldn't stop herself