TRISTANI wouldn’t lie.This was the first time in a long while that I felt… alive.Claire’s loud laughter filled the house as she ran across the living room with her tiny legs, her little feet slapping against the floor. Jackson was behind her, chasing her like a fool.“Come back here, little cheat!” he shouted.Claire screamed happily and ran faster. “Nooo!”Jackson lunged forward like he was going to grab her, but she slipped away again, running behind the couch.Her laughter echoed through the house.I sat quietly where I was.Just watching them.Yelena and Nyra were in the kitchen, cooking. I could smell the stew from here. The scent floated through the air, warm and rich, mixing with the faint city breeze coming from the open window.Jackson ran past again.Claire dodged him.“Ah! Daddy help!” she shouted, though she wasn’t even looking at me.My lips twitched.I leaned back slightly in the chair.For once, my mind wasn’t drowning in paperwork, patrol reports, or council meeting
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