YELENA

I dropped the mop with a small smile, ready to hug him, but he gently pulled me back.

“Clean the place first. I need to shower,” he said, his voice sharp and low, his face darker than I’d ever seen it. He turned away without another word, his sister following behind him like a shadow.

I froze for a moment, the rejection stinging, then nodded quickly even though he was already gone. “Okay,” I whispered to no one, trying to hold my smile as I turned back to the mess.

The spot ...