Lily Thompson
The ride home felt like a punishment.
No radio. No small talk. Just the wipers dragging across the windshield and Isabella swinging her legs in the back seat like this was a happy surprise and not my worst day looping on repeat.
“Mommy?” she whispered, leaning forward, breath fogging the glass between the seats. “Are we still going on our adventure?”
My throat did the tight thing. “No, honey. Maybe next time”
My heartbeat stumbled. I said nothing. Ryan didn’t answer. The car filled up with silence
If I blinked too long, I saw the airport again, his face when he found me, the way my name sounded like a verdict in his mouth
By the time we pulled into the garage, my fingers had gone numb from clenching my fists. Ryan cut the engine.
He came around to open my door like a
