Morning came differently this time.
Not loud.
Not heavy.
Just… quiet.
Nia sat by the window, wrapped in a blanket, staring outside without really focusing on anything.
She still didn’t trust the silence.
Not fully.
A soft knock came at the door.
She didn’t answer right away.
The door opened anyway—carefully.
Her mother stepped in.
Holding something.
A pie.
Fresh.
Warm.
“I made this, I wasn't sure if you'd like it but I brought it anyway” she said softly.
Nia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…I don’t trust you,” she said honestly.
Her mother didn’t flinch.
“I understand,” she replied.
A pause.
Nia looked at the pie again.
Then back at her.
“…I’ll take it,” she said after a moment.
Careful.
Guarded.
Her mother nodded and placed it down gently.
No pressure.
No forcing an
