I couldn’t help but sigh as the elevator doors finally slid open, releasing me from the confined space that had felt like a cage after the never-ending day I had just endured. It felt like the hours had stretched on indefinitely, as if time itself refused to move at a normal pace.
All I had wanted was to come home.
I had spent the entire day looking forward to that first moment—the instant I walked through the front door and was met with the sweetest sound in the world: Rose’s excited squeal. She always ran straight into my arms, her tiny hands clutching at my suit jacket, her giggles pure and unfiltered joy.
And then, of course, there was Violet. My sunshine.
I had pictured her standing there, waiting for me, her soft smile welcoming me home, her lips pressing against mine in that way
