The house smelled faintly of antiseptic, the scent still clinging to Liam’s skin from the hospital. We had been discharged only a few days ago, and though the doctors assured us that Liam’s condition was stabilizing, their words were always wrapped with caution: “Make sure he comes for his check-ups… don’t miss a single appointment.” Those reminders echoed in my head as I stood by his bedroom door.
Liam’s breathing was steady now, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that almost felt like a victory song to me. For the first time in weeks, he was resting without pain etched across his face. I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
I turned from him quietly and made my way toward the living room, where Aria sat on the couch. The exhaustion in her eyes was hidden beneath a fo
