FOR ORLA: A MOTHER'S REVENGE

ike a beacon, its warm exterior bathed in soft afternoon light. Normally, this view would settle her, grounding her after any trip, but today was different. Her thoughts

f her daughter's laughter. It was light and melodic, filling the otherwise quiet house

y seemed to be in full swing. Mr. Fluffles, the centerpiece of Orla's makeshift gathering, sat propped up with a tiny porcelain teacup balan

irport. Approaching quietly, she crouched beside her daughter, one hand reaching out instinctively to press ag

kable. She turned her sparkling eyes upward, her hands clasping Mr. Fluf

ening further. She leaned in and kissed Orla's forehead. "

she replied, "In the kitchen!" before returning to h

etables, warm spices, and herbs wafted through the house, growing stronger with each step. It wasn't just the scent that gr

d to make him look even more endearing. He moved with a quiet confidence, stirring a pot as though he belonged there, which,

oo perfect to let pass without capturing. She framed the moment carefully, her lips quirking into a small sm

his features. "Liora! What are you doing he

th of his body and the steady rise and fall of his breathing grounded her even more. "I

rry, love," he said, his voice low and warm. "My phone's charging in the bedroom. But as you can see," he g

re vibrant as her stomach growled faintly. She raised an eyebrow at him, her lips curving into an approving smile. "I'm

her up and lifted her onto the kitchen counter. His hands lingered br

e," he murmured, his bre

her neck. His fingers pressed lightly against her hips, anchoring her against the cool marble of the counter. Her ha

word laced with both longing and restraint. His breath te

pounding as his lips lingered at the curve of her neck. Her finge

rm as he exhaled against her skin. "You don't know how much I've missed this," he

nto his hair. "Then stop missing it," she w

e subtle rasp of his stubble against her skin adding to the intensity of the moment. "You have no idea

tric, each breath shared heightening the pull. Her fingers tightened in his hai

touching, their breaths mingling, the space b

rk of Max, their dog

like a knife. Liora's eyes snapped open, her body stiffenin

r. "That's... unusual," he said, his tone quiet but tens

a creeping sense of unease. "Max doesn't bark like that," she murmured, he

. "I'll go check on him," she said, her tone stea