Lyra’s POV
The silence pressed in on me, thick as fog. Every inch of the house still held Kaida’s touch—her favorite vase of wildflowers, dried and crumbling now, the sweater draped over the arm of the chair, even the faintest trace of her laughter echoing in my mind. She was everywhere, and yet she wasn’t.
I stared down at Kaida’s child, Caden, the weight of my promise as heavy as ever. His little face looked so peaceful as he slept, his tiny mouth slightly open, hands curled against his chest. My heart ached in places I didn’t know existed.
A soft shuffle made me turn. Diego was standing in the doorway, hands stuffed in his pockets, looking as worn out as I felt. His eyes darted from me to the crib and back, lingering on the little one sleeping between us.
“Diego,” I said quietly. My
