Something had changed, and Shelly could feel it in small small moments.
Not loud. Not obvious. But there.
In the way she checked her phone more often.
In the way her heart reacted when Spencer’s name appeared.
In the way she smiled without even noticing.
It was new for her.
And a little scary too.
---
That morning, Shelly was in the kitchen making breakfast. Shaina sat at the table, swinging her legs and humming some random tune.
“Mommy, can Mr. Spencer come today?” Shaina asked suddenly.
Shelly paused for a second, then looked at her. “Why?”
“I want to show him my new drawing,” Shaina said happily.
Shelly smiled. “We will see.”
But inside, she already knew she would say yes.
---
After dropping Shaina at school, Shelly came back home and tried to focus on normal things. But
