Arianne sat on the long sofa in the sitting room with Lily resting against her shoulder.
The girl's breathing had become steadier since the medicine that morning, but the fever had not fully broken. Lily remained warm beneath the blanket wrapped around her, her face flushed from the lingering heat, while her small hand held the edge of Arianne's sleeve.
Across from them, Franz sat with Leo leaning against his side.
The boy had not spoken since waking, which was not unusual in itself, but his silence carried a different weight today. His tablet lay untouched on the table beside the sofa while he remained pressed quietly against Franz's arm.
Every few minutes, he shifted as though making sure Franz was still there.
Franz adjusted the blanket covering his shoulders. Leo did not protest. The boy simply settled again.
Arianne glanced toward the clock. It had been nearly forty minutes since she last spoke with Ellie on the phone.
"She should be here soon," she said.
