Chapter 156

The disagreement didn’t explode.

It simmered.

And that almost made it worse.

It started with something small—bedtime.

The younger one had discovered a new strategy: delay.

“I need water.”

“You just had water.”

“I need different water.”

Daniel blinked. “Different?”

“Yes.”

She hid a smile from the doorway.

Five minutes later:

“I need hug.”

“You had hug.”

“Other hug.”

By the third request, Daniel’s patience thinned.

“It’s ...