The silence between Soren and his father had finally learned how to breathe. At least it isn't as intense as it was before.

It lived in pauses now.

In glances that lingered too long.

In words that were chosen carefully—or not spoken at all.

Days had passed since the confrontation, yet the air between them still felt bruised.

Soren became more aware of it the moment he stepped into the open courtyard.

His parents were already seated, cups of tea cooling in their hands, but nothing about ...