Alex's POV
Three days had passed since Ari's first therapy session, and the atmosphere in the farmhouse was cautious but hopeful. Ari had been quiet after the session, but she was eating, laughing, and constantly engaging with us. The mixed emotions she mentioned were clearly a sign of progress, not regression. She had another session scheduled for Friday.
The current challenge was not Ari's healing, but Mom’s patience.
Thursday evening arrived, and the mandatory video call from our mother. We had to execute the 'Top Secret Acquisition' cover story perfectly.
Noah had organized everything. We gathered in the main study—the only room with minimal personal flair—and put on our most expensive sweaters. Eli, honorary family member and co-conspirator, wore a ridiculously oversized, serious-
