Chapter 163

It happened on a Monday.

Because of course it did.

Mondays carried the weight of fresh starts and unfinished feelings. They didn’t know that when they packed lunches that morning. They didn’t sense the shift when the older one tied their shoes with unusual determination.

But something had settled over the weekend.

Not heavy.

Just decided.

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Recess was where it unfolded.

Amara later described it in dramatic detail, but the core of it was simple.

Liam laughed ...