Chapter 27
The house was quieter than usual. No music. No podcast. No birdsong outside. Just the sound of movement soft, slow, deliberate. Liam buttoned his shirt at the kitchen table. Noah sipped his coffee and stared out the window. Nadyia finished braiding her hair, her expression focused, almost serene. Ethan sat at the table in his pajamas, humming to himself while drawing loops and swirls on a sticky note with a blue marker. “Mama B’s gonna let me feed the chickens,” he said. “Only if you don’t chase them,” Noah said, ruffling his hair. “I won’t. I promise.” Nadyia crouched beside him, brushing a kiss to his cheek. “We’ll be back before lunch.” “Okay.” Liam exchanged a glance with Noah and Nadyia as Mama B arrived at the door. One hug for Ethan, one look of understanding for the three
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