MELANIE:

Cherry’s laughter rings through the living room, high and bright. Killian sits cross-legged on the carpet beside her, carefully fitting puzzle pieces together like he is trying to solve something bigger than the picture on the box.

I pour milk into their glasses, watching the pale swirl as if it can drown out the quiet pulse behind my eyes.

Liam left somewhere else after dinner and I was glad he did because his sudden change in actions is unsettling.

“Mommy,” Cherry calls, ...