Emily looked more shocked by my question than anything else. Her face paled slightly, and she fidgeted with the edge of her blouse, her eyes flitting around as though she were searching for the right words. I couldn’t tell if I’d crossed a line or if my guess had hit too close to home, but the awkward silence stretched between us, and I began to wonder if I should have kept my thoughts to myself.
Before she could respond, Clair came bounding back into the kitchen, completely unaware of the tension lingering in the room. She was dressed in her work uniform, her cheerful energy filling the space as she grabbed her bag.
“I’m off to work!” she announced brightly, leaning down to kiss her mother on the cheek before turning to me and giving me a quick hug.
“Thanks again, Anna! You’re the best
