_Leah's POV_

Tariq and I walked into the kitchen together, both trying to act normal after the tension-filled morning. Susan was already at the table, pouring syrup over a fresh stack of pancakes. She smiled warmly when she saw us.

"There you are, Tariq!" Susan said cheerfully. "I was beginning to think you had disappeared."

Tariq, always quick with an excuse, grinned and said, "Sorry, Mom. I got a little sidetracked this morning. One of my friends needed help and I went to meet him."

I ...