The garden was quiet. Too quiet.
Only the soft rustle of leaves and the sniffles of the children broke the silence.
Georgia clutched Keira tightly, her chest rising and falling fast.
Jared stood a few feet away, his eyes still fixed on the little girl who had clung to him moments ago. Something in his gaze... something deep and unreadable.
Keira tugged at Georgia's sleeve.
"Mommy... is he mad?"
Georgia looked down quickly. "No, baby. No one's mad."
Kelsey looked up from hugging his sister. "He looks mad."
Jared blinked, finally stepping forward. "I'm not mad," he said, kneeling slowly so he was level with them. "I just... didn't know."
Georgia swallowed hard. "Jared..."
He looked up at her. "They're yours?"
She hesitated... then nodded, whispering, "Yes.
