Chapter 161

Growth rarely announces itself.

It disguises itself as irritation.

As slammed doors.

As the sharpness in a voice that didn’t used to cut.

It started on a Wednesday.

Ordinary in every visible way.

Breakfast half-eaten.

Backpacks packed in a rush.

Shoes missing until the last possible second.

But beneath the routine, something simmered.

The younger one had discovered a new habit.

Interrupting.

Not maliciously.

Not even intentionally.

Just ...