one she was used to. The air smelled different-crisp, sterile, carrying the faintest hint of ex

she wished would stay buried, but they didn't. Damien was everywhere, not just in the halls of this house, but in the corners of her mind, slipping into her t

ling herself to focus. Today wasn't about Da

-

glass-topped table, his small frame by the high-backed chair. His head was b

ce commanding as always. A newspaper lay folded beside him, and his fingers drummed once

she said, keepin

ed a glance in her direction. "Good, you

his son, his tone f

didn't

ne was more cli

no re

't look up, his spoon resting motionless on the side of his plate. The meal in front of him-a perfe

ng in his jaw. "You're not lea

elt heavy for him this was wrong. She had seen kids shut down before, seen them withdraw into themselves when faced with harshness, even if u

e, making a noticeable show of chewing thoughtfully. She glanced at Ethan and

d slightly, his sm

this toast, and I swear I feel stronger already." S

hing amusement cro

eard a rumor that these grapes make you invisible if you eat three in a row." S

n watched in silence. Lena picked up another grape and popped it into her m

didn't react too much, didn't push. Instead, she whispered, "Three." And then, in an e

, barely-there huff of amusement. That was the closet she had ever se

wrong. Lena saw this as highly problematic. Lena kept her tone light. "Guess

me putting it in his mouth without hes

don't have to trick him into eatin

t tricking him. I'm just m

ught he would argue. But then he simply leaned back in his chair, watching as Et

e, his small fingers idly tracing patterns on the table. Lena w

ce was firm but not u

o Lena, as if debating something. It was subtle, barely a second, but sh

reassuring smile. "Go on,

ed toward the door. He didn't say thank you, didn't acknowledge her, but he also didn't ig

ion unreadable, as usual. When his attention returned to Lena, there