There was a long pause. Roman’s eyes narrowed, his face hardening, but he didn’t respond. The silence stretched between us, filled with all the words we weren’t saying.
And then, a small voice broke through, shattering the tension.
“Mummy!”
I turned, catching sight of my daughter at the top of the stairs, her face brightening as she saw me.
Roman and I both instinctively straightened, adjusting ourselves, trying to mask the intensity of the confrontation. Rhett’s voice followed close behind, excited but still groggy from watching cartoons.
“Rhett! Mom’s here!” Ruby called out, her face lighting up with a big smile as she rushed down the stairs, her steps quick and light.
The second she reached me, her little arms wrapped tightly around my waist. “Mummy!” she said again, her voice muffled as she pressed her cheek against me.
I knelt down, hugging her back, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of her. “Hey, sweetheart,” I said softly, my heart easing for the first time that day.
