Behind The Lens

e of comfort, a sanctuary. The small two-story house was set on a quiet street in a neighborhood filled with manicured lawns and picturesque gardens. Ivy crawled up

did, deeply, but there was something about their dynamics that always left her feeling off balance. She had long since ac

ned with age. She radiated a quiet, effortless grace that never seemed to diminish, her dark hair falling in soft waves past her shoul

he spread her arms wide, pulling Lily into a tender embrace. "You look

ing presence of the woman who had raised her with so much l

ck to look at her daughter with a fond smile. "You'r

ll but inviting, with soft lighting and rustic charm. The living room was cozy, adorned with plush throw pillows on a well-worn sofa and family photos scattered across the walls. There were s

ties were as different as night and day. Sophia, the fiery spirit of the two, was talking non-stop, her bright hazel eyes gleaming with excitement. Her hair was a messy bun on top of her head, and she looked every bit the vibrant fo

ou finally made it! I was just telling Clan about my h

icked at his plate. "Maybe if you didn'

"You two are impossible," she teased, sliding into the cha

patted the seat beside her. "Come

fresh green salad, and a loaf of crusty bread-food that had always made her feel at home. Grace was a master in the

f her, a soft smile on her face as she sat d

ied, her smile gentle. "Eve

trong, imposing figure, and though he appeared charming enough on the surface, there was something unsettling about him. His eyes lingered on Lily just a littl

said, his voice smooth and almost too flatteri

t to let the discomfort show. "I'm do

couldn't quite place but had learned to avoid. She didn't want to stir the pot. Her mother was happy,

Richard asked, his voice casual, but Lil

up. She didn't know why he always seemed to take such pleasure in prying into her pers

and despite the wealth he had provided, there had always been an air of mystery surrounding his absence. He still called sometimes, and Lily could always he

er voice light and cheerful. "I'm doing a presentation on a

r the distraction. "Of course. I'l

ool project, Clan's soccer practice, Grace's favorite books. But even amidst the laught

ghed on her heart, and the complexities of family-both the

. It wasn't something that had been flaunted, but she had alw

ed, and effortlessly kind. She took care of the home, made sure her children had everything they needed,

they needed and more

hake the feeling that their family was far from perfect. A