The soft golden hue of the setting sun bathed the living room, casting warm shadows on the walls where crayon drawings of dinosaurs and butterflies lived side by side. The comforting hum of the city filtered through the windows, but the air inside felt impossibly still.
Isabelle’s heart pounded as she watched her twins—her entire world—play on the floor, building a sprawling fort from pillows and blankets.
A fortress. Safe.Untouched.
And she was about to shake its foundation.
She sank onto the couch, smoothing her hands over her jeans. “Elliott, Amelia,” she called softly.
Two little heads popped up from behind the pillow walls—one with dark curls and curious eyes, the other with soft, sunlit waves and a dimpled frown.
“Yes, Mama?” Elliott asked, already sensing something different i
