Gil’s POVDinner ended slowly, the way good evenings always did—like no one really wanted to be the first to say goodbye,and after all that had happened,that we had been through it felt lighter.I stood by the door with Sandra and Ethan's father, my hands clasped together in front of me like I needed something to anchor myself. Ethan was already tired, his eyes dull with exhaustion even though he tried to stay present. I leaned toward him carefully, afraid that I might startle him.“I hope you recover quickly,” I told him. “If you need anything at all, I’m just a step away. You can call me. Text me. Anything.”He nodded, small and polite, and nodded what I assumed was a thank you.Sandra smiled at me, warm and genuine in a way that made my chest ache, I really don't know what I would have done without her. She leaned down then and gently pinched Amelia’s cheeks.“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said softly.Amelia only smiled back, wide and toothy, completely unaware of how much she had a
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