JASMINE
The next morning, I woke up feeling the weight of yesterday's emotions still lingering in my chest.
After shutting the door on Stephan last night, sleep had come slowly, filled with fragments of Jaden's innocent words and the cold look on Stephan's face when I asked about his grandmother.
I stretched, then quickly got ready a simple comfortable outfit for school since I had classes today.
When I walked out of my room and headed downstairs, the house felt quieter than usual.
I entered the dining area expecting to see Stephan at the table, maybe with that morning smile he had started giving me.
But he wasn't there. Only Jaden sat at the table, eating his breakfast quietly, Elena hovering nearby with a gentle smile.
I looked around, a small pang of disappointment hitting me. "Where's your dad?"
Jaden swallowed his mouthful of cereal and shrugged. "He left early for work. Said he had an important meeting."
