Jacob
The house felt quieter after they left.
Not empty.
Just muted.
Like it was still adjusting to the absence of Bella’s voice, her footsteps, the constant bright movement she brought into every room.
I stood in the family room for longer than necessary, looking at the place where she had been.
Her overnight bag was still by the door.
I crossed to it, moved it to the correct hook, then stood back and looked at it with the satisfaction of a man who had found one orderly thing to fix.
Pathetic, probably.
Still better than standing there doing nothing.
I went to the window and watched Leah’s car move down the drive.
Bella’s head was visible in the back seat, already turned toward the front, telling her mother something with her whole body. That was how Bella talked when she was e
