A golden ray of sunset poked through the window, stinging Anna’s eyes. She blinked them open, a sleepy, satisfied smile tugging at her lips. Feeling a weight against her side, she felt for the hand wrapped around her waist.
The smile died.
The hand wasn't the heavy, familiar grip she expected. It was small—tiny, even. Anna flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs. She turned slowly, finding only a mound of blankets. With a trembling breath, she peeled back the duvet. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“Surprise!” baby Lyla squealed, her grin revealing a few missing teeth.
Anna scrambled backward, Tangled in the sheets, she tumbled off the bed and hit the floor with a thud. Lyla’s excitement vanished, replaced by a pout. “Did I scare you?” she asked, her voice dropping to a w
