The house was still tense after the last fight. Hunter kept his distance, while Olivia tried to remain calm for the kids. But the real storm hadn’t passed—Shopia hadn’t given up yet.
That afternoon, while Olivia was preparing dinner and Hunter played with Eliana in the backyard, Shopia knocked on Joe’s bedroom door. She held a box of warm brownies and wore a manipulative smile.
Joe opened the door just a crack. “What now, Mom?”
Shopia smiled sweetly, as if the anger from the other day had never happened. “Can I come in for a moment?”
Joe sighed deeply, then opened the door wider. Shopia entered and placed the brownies on his desk.
“I made these myself. They’re still warm,” she said, sitting on the edge of the bed. Joe remained standing by the window.
“You have something to say, don’t
