42.
A Quiet Beginning The next morning arrived with a stillness Shelly hadn’t felt in a long time. Sunlight streamed gently through the curtains, casting soft golden patterns across the living room floor. For a moment, as she stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast, everything felt… normal. No heaviness. No tightness in her chest. Just quiet. Shaina sat at the table, humming to herself as she flipped through her coloring book, occasionally glancing toward the door as if expecting someone. Shelly noticed. “You’re very excited this morning,” she said, placing a plate of toast in front of her. Shaina grinned. “Is Mr. Spencer coming today?” Shelly paused for half a second before answering. “He said he might stop by.” That was enough. Shaina’s smile widened as she went back to her dra
- Writer
