Chapter 13: Threads

Sitting at the kitchen table, I absentmindedly traced the grain of the wood with my fingertips, my gaze fixed on Aron. He was deep in conversation with our child, guiding him through math problems. His smile seemed strained, his eyes distant – a telltale sign that something was awry. A gnawing unease settled in my chest, refusing to be ignored.

"Is everything okay, Aron?" The question slipped out, tinged with concern that I couldn't quite conceal. His gaze met mine, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he masked it with a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, just a long day at work. Nothing to worry about," he replied, his tone steady but his eyes betraying a hint of hesitation.

I nodded, trying to quell the unease that had taken root within me. It could be exhaustion, stress, or any number of reasons. But a voice inside me insisted that I delve deeper.

I excused myself from the table, feigning the need to check on the simmering pot on the stove. As I stood before the furnace, my heart