Eira stirred in her sleep, her fingers clutching onto Adelyn’s clothes as another faint murmur slipped past her lips.
"Mama ..."
Her voice trembled, as if she were on the verge of tears.
Adelyn’s heart tightened.
She couldn’t hold back anymore.
Pulling her into her arms at once, she whispered softly, her breath grazing over the girl’s hair.
"Shh ..." Her voice was gentle, barely above a whisper. "Mama isn’t going anywhere. I’m right here ... with you. So, sleep."
Her hand moved gently —patting Eira’s back in a slow, soothing rhythm. Within monts, the little girl relaxed in her arms, as though she had finally found what she had been searching for.
But Adelyn’s brows slowly knit together.
Only then did she realize what she had just said.
A faint frown ford on her lips.
She had wanted to avoid unnecessary entanglents —to stay distant, and as uninvolved as possible.
Yet sohow ... she kept getting pulled deeper into them.
"Adelyn," she muttered under her breath, a hint of frustration lacing her tone, "since when did you start lying so easily?"
She didn’t want to lie.
And yet, just monts ago, the words had co out as though they had always been waiting on the tip of her tongue.
Why?
And how?
Her gaze lowered to Eira’s sleeping face.
Calm. Peaceful.
Beautiful.
Just looking at her like this made sothing inside Adelyn soften completely.
And she realized what led her into the situation.
What probed her into lying so easily this ti ...
It was her.
The re thought of her tears.
She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing the tears in her eyes again.
Not just because it would be troubleso. But also, because the re thought of it made her chest feel tight, strangely.
After a mont of silence, she murmured softly to herself. "It’s fine ... she’s just a child. And no child deserves to long for sothing like that."
She paused, then added in a quieter voice,
"I only said it to comfort her. It wasn’t wrong. And by tomorrow, she won’t even rember."
The thought eased her mind —at least a little.
Her hand continued to pat Eira’s back for a while longer before she adjusted herself into a more comfortable position.
She didn’t push the girl away anymore.
Instead, she kept her close.
And slowly, she drifted to sleep.
—————
The next morning —
The storm had passed.
Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, washing the room in a gentle glow, as if the chaos of the previous night had been quietly erased.
Eira woke up before Adelyn.
But she stayed still.
Careful. And quiet.
She didn’t move, didn’t make a sound —only turned slightly on her stomach and watched her.
Watched her mother.
Up close.
For as long as she could rember, she had wished to stay with her Mama like this.
And now ... finally it had co true.
A small, content smile spread across her lips. Slowly, cautiously, she leaned forward —
And placed a soft kiss on Adelyn’s cheek.
The touch was light as a feather, but still it made Adelyn stir in her sleep.
Eira froze instantly, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.
She watched nervously as Adelyn’s lashes fluttered, her eyes slowly opening to the morning light.
A faint frown appeared between her brows.
But it softened the mont she saw the little face hovering close to hers.
"Aunt Ade-lyn ... did Eira wake you up?" she asked softly.
Still half-asleep, Adelyn reached out and gently pinched her cheek before shaking her head. "No, you didn’t."
Relief washed over Eira’s face.
Her lips curved into a smile —and without realizing it, Adelyn mirrored it.
"When did you wake up?" Adelyn asked, her voice softer now. "Did you sleep well?"
Eira nodded eagerly, without hold back at all.
It had been one of the best sleeps of her life.
If only ... she could sleep like that every night.
Just then —
A faint clatter echoed from outside the room.
Adelyn stilled, suddenly becoming aware.
Right.
It wasn’t just two of them at ho.
A third person also existed —seemingly awake already.
"Is your Dada already up?" she asked.
Eira shrugged, equally unsure.
Adelyn didn’t linger any longer. "Co on. Let’s freshen up and check."
Eira nodded, and the two of them headed into the attached bathroom.
When they stepped out, a rich aroma drifted through the air.
Adelyn paused.
Then followed the scent instinctively before stopping near the dining table —
She blinked in surprise.
"This ..."
"You’re awake."
The voice ca from the kitchen.
Adelyn looked up just as Dylan walked out, placing a dish onto the table.
"I made breakfast," he said calmly. "Co, eat while it’s still warm."
Adelyn’s eyes swept over the table.
There wasn’t just one dish.
There were several —and all of them looked ... surprisingly good.
"You made all of this?" she asked, clearly taken aback.
Dylan humd in response, helping Eira onto a chair before pulling one out for Adelyn.
"I checked the refrigerator," he added. "There wasn’t anything prepared for the morning."
Realization dawned instantly.
A trace of embarrassnt crept onto Adelyn’s face.
After last night’s dinner, the fridge had practically been empty.
Whatever Nigel had prepared for her had long been finished.
With a slightly awkward smile, she said, "I was planning to wake up early and prepare sothing for you both."
"It’s fine," Dylan replied easily. "You can make it the next ti."
Next ti?
Adelyn paused.
There would also be a next ti?
The thought caught her off guard.
She wanted to say there wouldn’t be —but saying it out loud would only make things awkward.
So instead, she nodded.
"Sure ... I’ll cook next ti, if I get the chance."
She would make sure she doesn’t get that chance.
Dylan didn’t press further. He simply nodded and gestured toward the chair.
Adelyn quickly took her seat, picking up the jug to pour the juice for everyone.
Just as they began eating, her phone rang on the table.
Freya’s na flashed on the screen. And Adelyn set down her fork and knife to take it.
"Excuse , I need to take this," she said, moving the icon to answer the call.
Dylan gave a small nod, and Eira continued eating quietly.
"Sister Freya."
"Adelyn ..." Freya’s voice ca through the line. She sounded composed —but there was a faint strain beneath it. "There’s been a slight change in plans."
Adelyn’s brows furrowed. However, she asked calmly, "What changed?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers