I’m already awake when I hear Eva and Ian upstairs. Their door opens and laughter follows. I lie still in my childhood bed, staring as my chest feels tight, like something heavy is sitting on it.When I come downstairs, Eva is at the counter in one of Mom’s old aprons, her sleeves rolled up, hair twisted into a loose knot. She’s radiant and Ian stands behind her, arms around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder as she flips pancakes.“You’re going to burn them,” he says.“They’re fine,” she laughs, leaning back into him.Mom watches from the table with a soft smile, hands wrapped around her mug. Dad’s reading the paper, occasionally chiming in with commentary no one asked for.I take my seat quietly. Eva turns first. “Morning! You should’ve woken me, i would’ve made extra.”“You did,” Ian says easily. “You always do.”Breakfast unfolds as Eva talks about their drive, the terrible playlist Ian insisted on, the roadside diner with the awful coffee. Ian corrects details, teases her,
Last Updated : 2025-12-23 Read more