Elijah’s question landed in the quiet like a stone dropped into still water—soft at first, but the ripples touched everything. I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t. My throat felt tight, my chest even tighter, and the silence between us stretched until it felt like it could snap.

Roda slowly stepped back, giving us space, but her lingering gaze said she was hoping I’d choose the answer that would leave me lighter, not drowning.

I forced myself to lift my head.

“Elijah… I ...