The evening felt heavy, and though I tried to shake the unease, it lingered like a storm cloud hanging just above me. Theo and I had always been the kind of parents who had a rhythm. A silent understanding that we were in this together, that we could navigate any challenges, big or small, as a team. But tonight? Tonight felt different. Something was off, and I couldn’t quiet the nagging feeling deep in my chest.
I kept telling myself that it was probably nothing. After all, Charlie was still our bright, curious little boy. He’d just started getting excited about school, making new friends, and figuring out all the little mysteries of growing up. But there was a shift in him that I couldn’t ignore. Something about the way he had spoken about this "new friend," the secrecy in his voice. It
