Chapter 43 A Scare
The afternoon started quietly, with sunlight streaming through the curtains and birds chirping outside the window. Lily had just finished tidying up the living room, and Ethan was sitting on the couch, gently bouncing Emma in his arms. She was drowsy, tiny eyelids fluttering as she cooed softly. Lily smiled at the sight. “She’s been so calm today,” she whispered. “Maybe she’s finally settling into a rhythm.” Ethan nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her tiny forehead. “Maybe,” he said softly. “Or maybe she’s just plotting something.” They laughed quietly, a rare moment of ease, before the small, sudden cough from Emma startled them both. “She’s fine,” Lily murmured instinctively, leaning over to check on her. But then she froze. The coughing didn’t stop. It became a wet, rattling so
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