MAETHYS POV
The question felt strange after everything else. My age never mattered before.
“Eighteen.” I said.
Her face scrunched up a bit. “When did you turn eighteen?”
I frowned. “Last night, I think.”
Heather went very still.
The clock ticked again.
I shifted under the blanket. “Why?”
She stood too quickly.
“I’m going to check on those results.”
My chest tightened. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” She forced a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “No, honey. You didn’t do anything wrong. Eat. I’ll be right back.”
Then she left.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
I stared at it.
The room felt quieter after she was gone. The kind of quiet that made every small sound too noticeable—the scrape of my spoon against the bowl, the faint hum of the lights, the s
