Hailey's POV
Morning came with the weight of dread.
I found Maxwell already in the kitchen when I came out at seven, dressed in a suit, tie perfectly knotted. He looked like he'd slept as poorly as I had, shadows under his eyes, jaw tight with tension.
Gio was still asleep.
We moved around each other like strangers, not to get too close. The silence was suffocating.
Then Gio's door opened, and we both turned toward the sound of his small footsteps padding down the hallway.
"Morning, buddy." Maxwell's voice shifted instantly, to warm, everything it wasn't moments ago.
"Morning, Daddy." Gio climbed onto his usual stool, rubbing his eyes. "Can I have pancakes again?"
"Sure thing." Maxwell moved to the fridge. "Dinosaur or regular?"
"Dinosaur!"
I watched Maxwell pour batter onto the
