By the time they stepped inside the house, the tension between them had not eased even a fraction.
It clung to them like something tangible, trailing behind their steps, settling into the air before them.
Valerie walked in first, her posture stiff, her mind still racing from everything that had just happened. She could feel Azrael behind her without needing to turn, the weight of his presence sharper than usual, heavier, like every step he took carried something unspoken.
The living room lights were warm, soft, almost too calm for the storm she felt inside.
"Mommy!"
Little Roe's voice broke through everything.
He came running from the hallway, his small feet padding quickly against the floor before he collided into her legs, wrapping his arms around her waist. Valerie instinctively bent down, gathering him into her arms, pressing a quick kiss to his hair.
"Hey, baby," she murmured, her voice softening immediately despite the tightness still lingering in her chest.
