Ichika
I stood, but Ian was already on his feet, instinctively turning toward the sound like he was ready to help without even thinking.
Evalie peeked her head around the corner, her wild blonde curls even messier from sleep. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand, dragging her stuffed bunny behind her with the other. When her eyes landed on Amber, she lit up instantly.
"Mummy!" she squealed, racing forward.
Amber caught her with ease, scooping her up into a warm hug. "Hey, my love," she murmured, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. "Did you have a good nap?"
Evalie nodded into her neck, her eyes sliding toward Ian with cautious curiosity. But she didn’t say anything. In fact, she barely looked at him.
She stayed tucked in Amber’s arms, her voice rising with excitement as she began to gush, "Mummy, I told Miss Clara today that I want to be a doctor just like you, and she said I need to read more books, and at recess, Mia and I did cartwheels, and we had jelly sandwiches fo
