Kat’s question hung between them, soft but sharp.
“Are you okay, Eliana? I know you saw the posts… about Vanessa. About her pregnancy.”
Eliana didn’t answer. Her gaze stayed locked on Lake Geneva. The water was still, gray like the sky. That was the same lake where eight-year-old her saved Damian's life. Her fingers gripped the edge of the swing chain until her knuckles went white.
Her grip on CJ's hand tightened slightly.
CJ wiggled on her lap. “Aunt Ellie, you’re squeezing me too tight.” He tugged his hand free and rubbed his wrist, pouting, then reached for his mom. “Mommy, up.”
Only then did she blink. She loosened her arms, but her hand dropped to her stomach, protectively. Her fingers pressed flat against it.
“Everyone thinks I ran because of Vanessa's actions with Madeline,” s
